[Prenatal evaluation of fetal lung maturity by determination of phosphatidylglycerol (PG) concentration in amniotic fluid].

Phosphatidylglycerol (PG) is considered to be the most important phospholipid of lung surfactant, responsible for its biological activity. The aim of the study was to investigate the predictive value of phosphatidylglycerol (PG) concentration in amniotic fluid in prediction of neonatal lung maturity. The study was carried out on 180 pregnant women, chosen by random selection, hospitalized in Polish Mother's Health Centre Hospital in the period from 15.06.1994 to 31.12.1995. 223 samples of amniotic fluid were tested--phosphatidylglycerol (PG) concentration was assayed by immunological test Amnio Stat FLM. In the study value PG < or = 0.2 microgram/ml was found in 110 (49.3%) samples of amniotic fluid, PG = 0.5 microgram/ml in 57 (25.6%) and PG > or = 2.0 micrograms/ml in 56 (25.1%). In our research predictive value of PG in relation to clinical lung maturity of neonates was verified. It turned out that PG concentration in amniotic fluid < or = 0.2 microgram/ml indicates a possibility of RDS occurring in neonates born before 72 hours of performed determination. Concentration PG in amniotic fluid PG > or = 2.0 micrograms/ml corresponds to complete clinical lung maturity of neonates with predictive value 98%.