Assessment for surfactant level via lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio in the amniotic fluid is a direct estimation of fetal maturity. The purpose of surfactant is to prevent the collapsing of the alveoli during expiration.
Lecithin Sphingomyelin Ratio
- Clinicians can evaluate fetal lung development using a number of techniques, including the Lecithin-to-Sphingomyelin Ratio (L/S ratio).
- Amniocentesis was used to obtain a sample of amniotic fluid for this biochemical test, which was first developed in the 1970s and used to assess the likelihood that the newborn will experience respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).
- The maturation of the pulmonary system advances with growing gestational age as fetal lung development happens gradually.
- Alveoli don't collapse during expiration thanks to the surfactant's impact. Phospholipids, proteins, and lipids are all components of the surfactant.
- The phospholipids' chemical makeup is significant. One phospholipid in mature surfactant is phosphatidylcholine, also known as lecithin.
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