Intrinsic fluorescence polarization of amniotic fluid: evaluation of human fetal lung maturity

This article reports a novel approach for the evaluation of fetal lung maturity based on fluorescence polarization (FP). The technique determines the intrinsic fluorescence polarization ratio (IFPR) of the amniotic fluid (AF). In vitro measurements of the IFPR indicate a clear dichotomy: high values for young pregnancies and low values for mature pregnancies. The new method has the potential to be a noninvasive procedure because the excitation of the AF and the collection of its fluorescence emission can be performed through the intact cervical amniotic membranes.