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[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.
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.