Lecithin–sphingomyelin ratio

Lecithin–sphingomyelin ratio
Sphingomyelin

The lecithin–sphingomyelin ratio (L/S ratio or L-S ratio) is a test of fetal amniotic fluid to assess for fetal lung immaturity.[1][2][3] Lungs require surfactant, a soap-like substance, to lower the surface tension of the fluid coating the alveolar epithelium in the lungs. This is especially important for premature babies trying to expand their lungs after birth. Surfactant is a mixture of lipids, proteins, and glycoproteins, lecithin and sphingomyelin being two of them. Lecithin makes the surfactant mixture more effective.

  1. ^ Gluck L, Kulovich MV, Borer RC, Brenner PH, Anderson GG, Spellacy WN (1971). "Diagnosis of the respiratory distress syndrome by amniocentesis". Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 109 (3): 440–45. doi:10.1016/0002-9378(71)90342-5. PMID 5107880.
  2. ^ Whitfield CR, Chan WH, Sproule WB, Stewart AD (April 1972). "Amniotic fluid lecithin: sphingomyelin ratio and fetal lung development". Br. Med. J. 2 (5805): 85–6. doi:10.1136/bmj.2.5805.85. PMC 1787826. PMID 5018313.
  3. ^ Wijnberger LD, de Kleine M, Voorbij HA, et al. (April 2009). "Prediction of fetal lung immaturity using gestational age, patient characteristics and fetal lung maturity tests: a probabilistic approach". Arch. Gynecol. Obstet. 281 (1): 15–21. doi:10.1007/s00404-009-1033-0. PMC 2780670. PMID 19381669.
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