A COMPARISON BETWEEN THE LECITHIN‐SPHINGOMYELIN RATIO AND THE “SHAKE TEST” FOR THE ESTIMATION OF SURFACTANT IN AMNIOTIC FLUID

Abstract

Summary One hundred and ninety samples of amniotic fluid were analyzed for their surfactant content by measuring the lecithin‐sphingomyelin ratio and performing the simple “shake test”. The value of these tests in predicting the respiratory performance of the baby at delivery is discussed and the limitations of the tests is evaluated. It was concluded that the shake test is valuable only as a screening procedure for deter‐mining fetal lung maturity.