A novel method for collecting vaginal pool for fetal lung maturity studies.
OBJECTIVE
Fetal lung maturity (FLM) studies using vaginal pool can guide management in near-term gestations with rupture of membranes. Because an adequate sample may be difficult to collect using a syringe, we tested collection using a sterile sponge.


METHODS
In this prospective study, vaginal pool was collected via both a syringe and a sponge from each gravida. Study patients experienced rupture of membranes between 34-41 weeks of gestation. Each sample was analyzed using the TDx-FLM II assay and phosphatidylglycerol (PG) testing.


RESULTS
Fifty patients were enrolled; 44 demonstrated concordant syringe/sponge results. There was 1 instance of mature TDx-FLM testing using a sponge but not a syringe; PG testing in this case was absent in both samples. Using the kappa statistic, agreement between the methods was "substantial" for TDx-FLM and "almost perfect" for PG.


CONCLUSIONS
Collecting vaginal pool with a sponge may provide clinically useful information, particularly when PG is present.
Gleaton
Kenosha D
KD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC, USA. kenosha.gleaton@carolinashealthcare.org
White
John C
JC
Koklanaris
Nikki
N
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D005325:Fetal Organ Maturity; D016231:Fluorescence Polarization Immunoassay; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000196:embryology*; D010715:Phosphatidylglycerols / Q000032:analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*; D013594:Syringes; D014621:Vagina
D010715:Phosphatidylglycerols