Total phospholipid choline concentration of amniotic fluid in the assessment of foetal gestational and lung maturity. II. Correlation study.

Analysis of total phospholipid choline concentration was carried out on amniotic fluid samples obtained from 20 pregnant Nigerian women in established labour to determine the correlation of amniotic fluid phospholipid choline concentration with the gestational ages and maturity of the infants. There was a positive correlation between phospholipid choline concentration and gestational age. All infants whose gestational ages were estimated to be over 36 weeks had a total phospholipid concentration greater than 50 mumols/l. Four infants whose gestational ages were less than 36 weeks had total phospholipid choline concentration less than 30 mumols/l. None of these infants showed any evidence of Respiratory Distress Syndrome.