Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-fscjk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T05:52:55.420Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Lecithin/Sphingomyelin Ratio in Twin Pregnancies

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2014

R.J. Norman  and
S.M. Joubert
R.J. Norman*
Affiliation:
Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Natal, Congella, South Africa
S.M. Joubert
Affiliation:
Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Natal, Congella, South Africa
*
Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Natal, P.O. Box 17039, Congella 4013, Durban, South Africa

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

The lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio showed no difference between the two amniotic sacs in 24 multiple pregnancies examined before the onset of labor. Once labor started, however, the L/S ratio was higher in the first sac compared to the second in the six pregnancies where labor had commenced and was somewhat advanced at the time of amniocentesis. Dual-sac amniocentesis is essential during labor when assessment of pulmonary maturity is required, whereas single-sac sampling is adequate before the start of labor.

Keywords

Multiple pregnancyAmniocentesisLecithin/Sphingomyelin ratioPhospholipidsLung maturity
Type
Research Article
Information
Acta geneticae medicae et gemellologiae: twin research , Volume 31 , Issue 3-4: Special Issue on Twin Pregnancies , July 1982 , pp. 255 - 258
Copyright
Copyright © The International Society for Twin Studies 1982

References

REFERENCES

1. Ballard, PL (1980): Hormonal influences during fetal lung development. In Ciba Foundation Symposium 78; “Metabolic Activities of the Lung.” Amsterdam: Excerpta Medica, pp 251–274.Google Scholar
2. Cowett, RM, Hakanson, DO, Kocon, RW, Oh, W (1976): Untoward neonatal effect of intra-amniotic administration of methylene blue. Obstet Gynecol (Suppl)48:74–76.Google Scholar
3. Lemons, JA, Jaffe, RB (1973): Amniotic fluid lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio in the diagnosis of hyaline membrane disease. Am J Obstet Gynecol 115:233–237.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4. Marivate, M, Norman, RJ (1982): Twins. In “Obstetric Problems in the Developing World.” Clin Obstet Gynecol 9:723–744.Google Scholar
5. Norman, RJ, Bredenkamp, BLF, Joubert, SM, Beetar, C (1981): Fetal prostaglandin levels in twin pregnancies. Prostaglandins Med 6:309–316.Google Scholar
6. Norman, RJ, Joubert, SM (1982): Routine measurement of phosphatidyl glycerol in amniotic fluid. S Afr Med J 61:839–841.Google Scholar
7. Obladen, M, Gluck, L (1977): RDS and tracheal phospholipid composition in twins: Independent of gestational age. J Pediatr 90:799–802.Google Scholar
8. Olson, RW (1977): L/S ratio in twin pregnancy. Wisc Med J 76:116–117.Google Scholar
9. Sims, CD, Cowan, DB, Parkinson, CE (1978): The lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio in twin pregnancies. Br J Obstet Gynecol 83:447–451.Google Scholar
10. Spellacy, WN, Cruz, AC, Buhi, WC, Birk, SA (1977): Amniotic fluid L/S ratio in twin gestation. Obstet Gynecol 50:68–70.Google Scholar
11. Weller, PH, Gupta, J, Jenkins, PA, Baum, JD (1976): Pharyngeal lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio in newborn infants. Lancet 1:12–15.Google Scholar