Background:
Rapid tests for evaluating fetal lung maturity need to get a decision on delivery of high-risk pregnancy. We evaluated amniotic fluid lamellar body(LB) count and foam stability index(FSI) as a rapid test, and obtained cutoff value from
receiver
operating characteristic (ROC) curve.
Methods;
We analyzed one hundred ten amniotic fluid specimens including 8 cases with hyaline membrane disease. Lecithin/sphingomyelin(L/S) ratio was determined with thin layer chromatography, LB count with platelet channel of Coulter STKR cell counter,
and
FSI with the method of Statland et al.
Results:
The cutoff values of L/S ratio, LB count, and FSI obtained from ROC curve were 2.0, 21,000/μL, and 0.47 below, respectively. The sensitivity and specifcity of these cutoff values were 100% and 93.1% for l/s ratio, 100% 92.2% for LB count, and
100%
and 89.2% for FSI. If both LB count and FSI were performed, the result was 100% sensitivity and 88.2% specificity.
Conclusion:
LB count and FSI are rapid, simple and sensitive screening methods for the assessment of fetal lung maturity. Therefore, if tested simultaneously, it will be quite reliable test free from false negative results.
|