THE EFFECT OF POLYHYDRAMNIOS AND OLIGOHYDRAMNIOS ON FETAL LUNG MATURITY INDEXES

The influence of amniotic fluid (AF) volume on common fetal lung matur ity (FLM) indices was evaluated. Cases diagnosed with altered AF volum e as estimated by ultrasound (n = 71; polyhydramnios = 33, oligohydram nios = 38) were matched to controls by: gestational age (GA) at amnioc entesis, GA at delivery, neonatal weight, sex, and pregnancy complicat ion. FLM was assessed on AF specimens obtained by transabdominal amnio centesis by planimetric and stechiometric L/S, phosphatidylglycerol (P G), and lamellar bodies counts (LB). In cases with polyhydramnios, L/S ratios (planimetric and stechiometric) were statistically lower in ca ses with respect to controls (2.1 +/- 0.9 vs. 2.8 +/- 1.0, p = 0.007, and 4.8 +/- 2.4 vs. 5.9 +/- 2.7, p < 0.04; respectively). Absence of P G was more frequent in (70.8% vs. 50%, p = 0.02). LB counts were lower in cases than in controls (15.5 +/- 12.1 x 10(3)/mu L vs. 21.9 +/- 14 .3 x 10(3)/mu L, p < 0.05). In cases with oligohydramnios, no differen ce was found for planimetric and stechiometric L/S in comparison to co ntrols (2.6 +/- 1.2 vs. 2.6 +/- 1.0, N.S. and 4.9 +/- 2.1 vs. 4.6 +/- 1.8, N.S.; respectively), absence of PG (62.5% vs. 50%, N.S.), and LB counts (27.2 x 10(3)/mu L +/- 12.8 x 10(3)/mu L vs. 28.6 x 10(3)/mu L +/- 24.1 x 10(3)/mu L, N.S.). In conclusion, oligohydramnios was not a ssociated with altered FLM indices; in cases with polyhydramnios all F LM indices were significantly lower.