RELATION BETWEEN THE AMNIOTIC FLUID LECITHIN/SPHINGOMYELIN RATIO, FETAL CORD BLOOD CORTICOSTEROID LEVELS AND THE DURATION OF INDUCED LABOUR

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Abstract
In serial samples of amniotic fluid from 24 patients in induced labour, the rate of change in the lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio correlated significantly with the duration of labour. Cord serum 11-hydroxycorticosteroid levels were lowest in the group of patients in which the L/S rose during labour, and highest in the group in which the L/S ratio fell. Cord serum 11-hydroxycorticosteroid levels correlated positively with the duration of labour. It would seem unlikely that the changes in L/S ratio occurring during labour are mediated by endogenous corticosteroids.