The prediction of fetal maturity: a comparison between the bubble stability test and cytological evaluation of maturity.

Amniotic fluid from fifty women soon to be delivered, or already in labour, was analysed in the Obstetric unit of University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka. A Bubble Stability Test (Clements et al, 1972) and cytological screening for maturity (Sharma & Trussell, 1970) was carried out on each specimen. The latter test has been routinely used in the Obstetric unit for three years. The intent was to discover which test was the most useful indicator of fetal maturity.