Abstract
The degree of fluorescence polarization (P value) of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene has been shown to be an excellent indicator of the lecithin/sphingomyelin ( L/S) ratio in laboratory prepared liposomal dispersions. In order to test the validity of this technique in amniotic fluid, the L/S ratio and P value of 161 amniotic fluid specimens were determined. In 127 the P value was ≤0.336 and the L/S ratio was ≥2. In 26 the P value was >0.336 and the L/S ratio was <2 (P < 0.05). The amniotic fluid P value is affected by blood or meconium but not by surgical lubricants or bilirubin. We conclude that the degree of fluorescence polarization of amniotic fluid indicates fetal lung maturity as reliably as the L/S ratio. However, this method has important technical and practical advantages that make it more applicable for a clinical laboratory.
Published Version
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