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Is the lung floating test a valuable tool or obsolete? A prospective autopsy study
Anna-Lena Große Ostendorf1, Markus A Rothschild, Annette M Müller
1Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, Melatengürtel 60/62, 50823, Köln, Germany.
International Journal of Legal Medicine
|June 27, 2012
Summary
The lung floating test reliably distinguishes live births with 98% accuracy, though false negatives can occur. This test is still relevant for assessing newborn respiration, but a negative result doesn't confirm no prior breathing.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Medicine
- Neonatal Resuscitation
- Pediatric Pathology
Background:
- The lung floating test is a standard method for determining if a newborn was born alive.
- Its continued relevance and accuracy in contemporary birth populations require verification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the reliability and contemporary appropriateness of the lung floating test.
- To evaluate the test's accuracy in distinguishing live births from stillbirths in the current birth cohort.
Main Methods:
- A clinical trial was conducted involving 208 newborn lungs.
- The lung floating test was applied to assess respiratory status and determine live birth evidence.
Main Results:
- The lung floating test demonstrated an overall reliability of 98%.
- Four cases (false negatives) showed lungs sinking despite documented prior life.
- No false-positive results were observed, with stillborn lungs correctly sinking.
Conclusions:
- The lung floating test remains a reliable indicator for assessing live birth in newborns.
- While highly accurate, the test's limitations include potential false negatives, meaning a negative result does not definitively exclude prior respiration.
