PALMITIC ACID AND LECITHIN MEASUREMENTS IN AMNIOTIC FLUID

Abstract
Summary: A method is described for the rapid and quantitative estimation of total amniotic fluid palmitic acid. Palmitic acid and lecithin were measured in 140 samples of amniotic fluid in normal and abnormal pregnancy, and the correIation coefficient between the two parameters was 0–93. It is concluded that amniotic fluid palmitic acid measurements are of value in the prenatal determination of fetal pulmonary maturity.