A comparison of AmnioStat-FLM with three established methods of assessing fetal lung maturity

Summary A new rapid test of fetal lung maturity (the AmnioStat-FLM) was compared with two currently available rapid tests and with 2-dimensional thin-layer chromatography (2-d TLC). Forty-nine specimens of liquor obtained within 72 h of delivery were assessed, 27 of which were contaminated with blood or meconium. The AmnioStat-FLM compared well with spectrophotometry, the shake test and with 2-d TLC. Only the Amniostat-FLM and the 2-d TLC were reliable in the presence of contamination. The results suggest that the AmnioStat-FLM is a reliable, rapid test and unaffected by the presence of contamination.