[Determination of fetal lung maturity using the Shake Test by Clements and the L/S ratio]

By analysing 214 samples of amniotic fluid from the 9th to 44th week of gestation fetal lung maturity was determined by the shake test (Clements) and by the L/S ratio (Gluck). 20 women had repeated amniocenteses. The results of both tests coincided in 73%. In 90 out of 144 newborns the tests took place within 24 hours before delivery. In these cases lung maturity was predicted exactly in 74% by the L/S ratio and in 46% by the shake test. No child with a test result indicating lung maturity developed a respiratory distress syndrome. On the other hand the lung often was mature with a negative test. These false negative results, the cases with respiratory distress syndrome and the test result in a pregnancy with an anencephalic fetus are discussed.