Amniotic lamellar body counts can predict the occurrence of respiratory distress syndrome as well as transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN).

AIMS: The purpose of this study is to predict the occurrence of transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) using amniotic lamellar body count (LBC) and compare the LBCs in neonates with TTN with the LBCs in neonates with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and controls.

METHODS

Three hundred and eighty-one amniotic fluid samples were obtained at cesarean section from 27 to 40 weeks of gestation. Samples were analyzed immediately without centrifugation and the number of lamellar bodies was counted.

RESULTS

The LBC in amniotic fluid ranged from 1,000 to 577,000/μL. An LBC cut-off value of 48,500/μL resulted in 84.7% sensitivity, 76.2% specificity, and 98.1% negative predictive value for predicting TTN. The LBC in neonates with TTN was significantly lower than that in controls (50,000 vs. 122,000; P<0.001) and significantly higher than that in neonates with RDS (50,000 vs. 21,000; P=0.042).

CONCLUSIONS

We established a cut-off value of LBC for predicting the occurrence of TTN. The LBC in neonates with TTN was significantly lower than that in controls. Amniotic LBC can be a useful marker to predict if neonatal respiratory management is required.