ABSTRACT
The influence of amniotic fluid (AF) volume on common fetal lung maturity (FLM) indices was evaluated. Cases diagnosed with altered AF volume as estimated by ultrasound (n = 71; polyhydramnios = 33, oligohydramnios = 38) were matched to controls by: gestational age (GA) at amniocentesis, GA at delivery, neonatal weight, sex, and pregnancy complication. FLM was assessed on AF specimens obtained by transab-dominal amniocentesis by planimetric and stechiometric L/S, phosphatidylglycerol (PG), and lamellar bodies counts (LB). In cases with polyhydramnios, L/S ratios (planimetric and stechiometric) were statistically lower in cases with respect to controls (2.1 ± 0.9 vs. 2.8 ± 1.0, p = 0.007, and 4.8 ± 2.4 vs. 5.9 ± 2.7, p < 0.04; respectively). Absence of PG was more frequent in (70.8% vs. 50%, p = 0.02). LB counts were lower in cases than in controls (15.5 ± 12.1 × 103/μL vs. 21.9 ± 14.3 × 103/μ1, p < 0.05). In cases with oligohydramnios, no difference was found for planimetric and stechiometric L/S in comparison to controls (2.6 ± 1.2 vs. 2.6 ± 1.0, N.S. and 4.9 ± 2.1 vs. 4.6 ± 1.8, N.S.; respectively), absence of PG (62.5% vs. 50%, N.S.), and LB counts (27.2 × 103/μL ± 12.8 × 103/μL vs. 28.6 × 103/μL ± 24.1 × 103/μL, N.S.). In conclusion, oligohydramnios was not associated with altered FLM indices; in cases with polyhydramnios all FLM indices were significantly lower.
Keywords
Fetal lung maturity - amniotic fluid - RDS - lamellar bodies - L/S ratio
