Phospholipids in Amniotic Fluid

Abstract

Abstract. Phospholipid concentrations were measured in 118 samples of amniotic fluid throughout the last trimester. In 112 of these, all six fractions were measured including total phospholipid content. The findings are correlated with gestational age, maternal disease and fetal outcome. Lecithin levels normally start to rise sharply from 34 weeks. Respiratory distress syndrome is shown to be associated with abnormally low concentrations of lecithin and lecithin sphingomyelin ratios below 2.0.