ABSTRACT
The objective of this paper is to determine the applicability of the Abbott TDx-FLM
fluorescence polarization assay in pregnancies complicated by diabetes mellitus. Retrospective
review of records of women with pregnancies complicated by diabetes who underwent
amniocentesis for fetal lung maturity using the Abbott TDx-FLM assay within 3 days
of delivery was considered. Maternal diabetic control, neonatal birth weight, Apgar
scores, umbilical cord gases, admissions to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), development
of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) were evaluated. One hundred twenty-one patients
with diabetes mellitus were identified. Thirteen (10.7%) had an FLM ≤70 mg/g and 108
patients had ≥70 mg/g. All obstetrical and diabetic variables were similar. RDS was
not observed in neonates who had an FLM of ≥70 mg/g. One neonate had RDS (FLM = 7.2
mg/g). The TDx-FLM ≥70 mg/g may be interpreted as mature when obtained from transabdominal
amniocentesis.
Keywords
TDx-FLM - diabetic pregnancies
