Determination of fetal lung maturity by fluorescence polarization of amniotic fluid

Abstract The degree of fluorescence polarization (P value) of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene has been shown to be an excellent indicator of the lecithin/sphingomyelin ( L/S) ratio in laboratory prepared liposomal dispersions. In order to test the validity of this technique in amniotic fluid, the L/S ratio and P value of 161 amniotic fluid specimens were determined. In 127 the P value was ≤0.336 and the L/S ratio was ≥2. In 26 the P value was >0.336 and the L/S ratio was