The clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness of Lamellar body count in fetal lung maturation test

Hong, Seung Pyo; Park, Eun Kyung; Jeong, Sun Young; Joo, Ha Kyong; Lee, Jee Hyun; Moon, Hee Bong; Koh, Young Me; Shin, Jong Chul; Kim, Chang Yi

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the availability and efficacy of the Lamellar body count as a predictor of fetal lung maturity
METHODS
Amniocentesis was performed for evaluation of fetal lung maturity status within 72 hours of delivery in 32 patients. A Lamellar body count in clean amniotic fluid (AF) was analyzed right after amniocentesis. In case of contaminated AF with meconium or blood, samples was centrifuged for 3 minutes and divided into three. The average of three samples was analyzed successively from Coulter counter.
RESULTS
The incidence of RDS showed significant relation with gestational age, 1-minute and 5-minute Apgar Score. Using a value greater than 30,000/ l to indicate pulmonary maturity, the Lamellar body count predicted all lung-maturated cases with no false-negative results (100% negative predictive value). All 4 cases of RDS demonstrated Lamellar body count less than 30,000/microl. By using a lower cutoff of 10,000/microl to predict pulmonary immaturity. Positive predictive value was 100% in RDS patients.
CONCLUSION
In high risk pregnancy, fetal lung maturity test from amniotic fluid lamellar body count is a rapid, simple and reliable method in making a decision of delivery-time. And also it has universal availability with cost-effectiveness when we consider the reality of korean medical situation