Fetal lung maturation assessment after administration of glucocorticoid.

Abstract

The concentration of lamellar body (or surfactant) phospholipid in amniotic fluid generally increases as gestation proceeds and the fetal lungs mature. However, when glucocorticoid is administered prior to 35 weeks' gestation to accelerate fetal lung maturation, the ensuing increase in lamellar body phospholipid, to levels indicative of lung maturity, may be followed by a decrease to levels which suggest a reversion to lung immaturity. Estimations of fetal lung maturity should be interpreted with caution following the administration of glucocorticoid.