[Comparative analysis of amniotic fluid lamellar body count and foam stability test as indices of fetal lung maturity].

Introduction: Respiratory distress syndrome of the newborn caused by the fetal lung immaturity is a very serious clinical problem. Different tests of prenatal analysis of amniotic fluid, such as lamellar body count and Clements' test, are available for predicting the fetal lung maturity.

Material And Methods: A prospective clinical study was conducted on amniotic fluid samples from 2005 to 2006.

[Lamellar body count in amniotic fluid for assessing fetal lung maturity].

Introduction: Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) of the newborn infant caused by immaturity of fetal lung is a very serious clinical problem. Surfactant is stored in the form of lamellar bodies. They are secreted into alveolar space and passed into amniotic fluid where they can be found.

The ways of amniotic fluid sampling and its influence on lamellar body count.

Even though artificial surfactant is now available, respiratory distress syndrome still remains a serious problem in neonatology. Prenatal analysis of the amniotic fluid can provide data giving insight into the fetal lung maturity, which enables planning of the further outcome of high-risk pregnancies. Surfactant prevents atelectasis by forming a layer rich in phospholipids between the air and liquid phase in alveoli thus leading to increased surface tension in them, which is a precondition for a good lung function after birth.