Lecithin/sphingomyelin ratios centrifuged and uncentrifuged amniotic fluid
Railsback, K.P.; Haller, W.S.
American Journal of Medical Technology 44(9): 852-854
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9335 PMID: 568387 Document Number: 128365
The literature suggests that the presence of cellular debris and sediment in amniotic fluid samples may alter the value of the lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratios, with a loss of as much as 75 percent of the surface-active lecithin1 and consequently a marked change in the L/S ratio. We wish to report our findings on 22 amniotic fluids obtained by transabdominal amniocentesis and analyzed with and without preliminary centrifugation. We find the L/S ratio is indeed unaltered by centrifugation. However, the actual amounts of lecithin and sphingomyelin appear to be lower in centrifuged samples.