[The palmitic/stearic acid ratio (P/S) in amniotic fluid for the determination of fetal lung maturity. The advantages of a simplified analysis by gas-liquid chromatography (author's transl)].

The assessment of fetal lung maturity in amniotic fluid is of undisputed usefulness but still not available to all centers caring for high risk pregnancies. This is mainly due to laboratory problems. In search of a rapid and reliable method which can also be used for analysis of mailed specimens, we found the determination of the P/S ratio by gas-liquid chromatography very useful. The detailed procedure of a simplified P/S determination is presented. This method can be introduced with reasonable effort by any larger hospital. Smaller departments can send amniotic fluid specimens to an external laboratory. P/S ratios proved stable during an incubation of amniotic fluid at room temperature for two days.