Biomarker tests for fetal lung maturity.
The production of surfactant is a key step in fetal lung development. Surfactant decreases alveolar surface tension, thereby preventing alveolar collapse and allowing efficient gas exchange. The lack of adequate amounts of lung surfactant results in respiratory distress syndrome. Tests that assess surfactant concentrations in amniotic fluid are good predictors of infants that will not develop respiratory distress syndrome. The most frequently used test to assess fetal lung maturity (TDx FLM II) will not be available after December 2011. Therefore, we review the currently available tests for fetal lung maturity including lecithin:sphingomyelin ratio, phosphatidyl glycerol, surfactant:albumin ratio and lamellar body counts. Herein, we discuss their clinical utility and consider a suitable replacement for the future.
Department of Pathology & Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid, Box 8118, St Louis, MO 63110, USA.
Van
V
Leung-Pineda
Ann M
AM
Gronowski
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D003948:Diagnostic Techniques, Respiratory System; D005325:Fetal Organ Maturity; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
D015415:Biomarkers; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants