INTERPRETATION OF THE TDX-FLM FLUORESCENCE POLARIZATION ASSAY IN PREGNANCIES COMPLICATED BY DIABETES-MELLITUS

The objective of this paper is to determine the applicability of the A bbott TDx-FLM fluorescence polarization assay in pregnancies complicat ed by diabetes mellitus. Retrospective review of records of women with pregnancies complicated by diabetes who underwent amniocentesis for f etal lung maturity using the Abbott TDx-FLM assay within 3 days of del ivery was considered. Maternal diabetic control, neonatal birth weight , Apgar scores, umbilical cord gases, admissions to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), development of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) were evaluated. One hundred twenty-one patients with diabetes mellitus were identified. Thirteen (10.7%) had an FLM less than or equal to 70 mg/g and 108 patients had greater than or equal to 70 mg/g. All obste trical and diabetic variables were similar. RDS was not observed in ne onates who had an FLM of greater than or equal to 70 mg/g. One neonate had RDS (FLM = 7.2 mg/g). The TDx-FLM greater than or equal to 70 mg/ g may be interpreted as mature when obtained from transabdominal amnio centesis.