Glyceride content of amniotic fluid cells as an index of fetal maturity

A simple biochemical method has been used to determine the content of neutral lipid of washed cell pellets prepared from 114 samples of amniotic fluid. This was done to improve the large standard deviation of the conventional orange fat cell measurements. By relating the content of neutral lipids to the total protein content of the pellet, the error of cell counting is minimized. The resultant glyceride/protein ratio increases 20 times within the last 8 weeks of pregnancy. The results are not altered by associated diabetes, hydramnios or Rh isoimmunization.