Method for evaluating perinatal lung maturity

Abstract

Perinatal lung maturity is evaluated by determining the fluorescence polarization of a sample of pulmonary effluent containing pulmonary surfactant labeled with a fluorescent dye. The sample is excited with polarized radiation for causing the dye to fluoresce. I.sub.81 and I.sub.195, the intensities of fluorescence polarized in directions parallel to, and perpendicular to, the direction of polarization of the excitation radiation, are measured. From these measurements, the fluorescence polarization P, where P = (I.sub..parallel. - I.sub..perp.)/(I.sub..parallel. + I.sub.195), is determined. The value of P, which is functionally related to the microviscosity of the constituents of the surfactant, has been found to decrease with perinatal lung maturity. When the sample is amniotic fluid containing fetal pulmonary effluent, the evaluation of lung maturity can be carried out antepartum. Postpartum evaluation can be carried out by sampling neonatal tracheal or pharyngeal aspirates.

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