A practical method to analyze the phospholipids in the amniotic fluid using HPTLC.

An operative method using HPTLC which makes possible the determination of nine phospholipids in the amniotic fluid individually is described: lysophosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidic acid and cardiolipine. Since a simple and reliable method for clinical practice was sought, the working techniques, materials, chromatographic solvents and staining reagents were chosen accordingly. The standardization method was made by using standard phospholipids. This method was tested with 34 samples of amniotic fluid. A discussion of the practical application in the determination of some ratios of fetal pulmonary maturity is made.