Changing patterns of fetal lung maturity testing.
OBJECTIVE
In our laboratory, a decrease in fetal lung maturity (FLM) testing on amniotic fluid occurred over a 10-year period, and we desired to determine if this was a national phenomenon and, if present, ascertain possible etiologies.


METHODS
Society of Maternal-Fetal Medicine fellows, both in academic centers and private practice, were surveyed with regard to current usage of FLM testing.


RESULTS
Of 680 surveys, 417 (61%) responses were returned and 60% noted a decrease in FLM testing (range of reduction--foam stability index 65%, fluorescence polarization 35%, phosphatidyl glycerol 71%, lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio 70%). The most common reason suggested for the decline is that the tests were not needed for patient management.


CONCLUSIONS
Obstetric patterns of FLM testing have declined, principally in near-term pregnancies, and this could adversely affect neonatal outcome.
McGinnis
K T
KT
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216-4505, USA.
Brown
J A
JA
Morrison
J C
JC
D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D005325:Fetal Organ Maturity; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000196:embryology*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000032:analysis; D014481:United States
D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants