Rapid test on amniotic fluid for diagnosis of foetal pulmonary maturity

The Authors have carried out a study on samples of amniotic fluid taken at various gestational ages. They compare the optic density at 650 nm and the Lecithin/Sphingomyelin ratio, evaluated from the quantitative point of view according to the method of Gluk and Coll. The results show a significant correlation between samples with optic density greater than or equal to 0.15 and those with L/S ratio greater than or equal to 2.0. Finally, the Authors analyze the possible usefulness of this method as a rapid test to assess foetal pulmonary maturity.