The use of a method recently describes for the enzymatic determination of phospholipids that contain choline (PCC) as a means of evaluating fetal lung maturity is evaluated. Results of the PCC were compared with those obtained by thin layer chromatography, polarizad f luorescence (TDx-FLM), recount of lamellar bodies and absorbance at 650 nm. The study used 101 amniotic liquids. The analysis of the results suggested that a concentration of 7,0 mg/dL of PPC is indicative of lung maturity. It was a high agreement of the PPC method with the other tests to evaluate fetal lung maturity. It is suggested the employment of PPC test like an alternative method for the evaluation of the risk of respiratory distress syndrome.
phospholipids; amniotic fluid; fetal lung maturity; respiratory distress syndrome; lamellar bodies; phosphatidylglycerol; surfactant/albumin ratio