Falling amniotic fluid palmitates in diabetic pregnancies.

Palmitic acid levels were measured in samples of amniotic fluid obtained from 15 patients with diabetes. Seven patients had palmitate values which decreased at some time in pregnancy but only one of the infants developed respiratory distress. Eight of the 15 patients had final amniotic fluid palmitate values which were greater than 0.07 mmol/l and one infant developed respiratory distress. The other seven patients had final amniotic fluid palmitate values of 0.07 mmol/l or less and one of the infants developed respiratory distress. The significance of falling amniotic fluid palmitate values is discussed.