Assessment of fetal lung maturity by laboratory methods.

I have reviewed many of the methods available for the assessment of fetal lung maturity. The difficulty of using diagnostic tests for diseases of low prevalence has been discussed. By reviewing the nature of the amniotic fluid surfactant material, and some of the principles underlying analytical methods, the bases of some of the recurring methodologic problems have been pointed out. It is concluded that a number of reasonably straightforward tests will provide information of essentially the same utility as more costly, difficult, and time-consuming assays commonly employed.