ASSESSING FETAL LUNG MATURATION BY FOAM STABILITY INDEX TEST

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 52  (6) , 673-677
Abstract
An assay was developed and evaluated that quantifies the surface tension lowering ability of amniotic fluid surfactant. The formation of stable foam following vigorous shaking of amniotic fluid was evaluated by the addition of various amounts of dipalmitoyl lecithin in a solution of ethanol and saline and by fine adjustments of the ethanol volume fraction in the final assay mixture. The foam stability index (FSI) for a particular sample of amniotic fluid was defined as the highest ethanol volume fraction that would permit the formation of stable foam after vigorously shaking a mixture of ethanol and amniotic fluid. The assay is referred to as the FSI test. The FSI values in amniotic fluid specimens from 59 patients obtained within 72 h of delivery are reported. The L/S ratio was measured in 50 of the same 59 specimens. Six cases of neonatal hyaline membrane disease (HMD) and 2 cases of transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTNB) were observed in this study. No cases of HMD or TTNB occurred with FSI values of greater than 0.47, while 2 cases of HMD were recorded in association with L/S ratios of 2.5 and 2.8, respectively. The potential clinical value of the FSI test is discussed.

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