Amniotic Fluid Lecithin Concentrations in Pregnancies Complicated by Hypertensive Disorders and Intrauterine Growth Retardation

Abstract

Amniotic fluid lecithin was measured in 92 samples from 75 patients with hypertensive disorders and in normotensive pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). For the group with hypertensive disorders the lecithin concentrations were not significantly different from a reference material at any stage in gestation. Pre-eclampsia associated with moderately elevated blood pressure and complicated by IUGR showed significantly higher lecithin concentrations than any other diagnostic subgroup. The lecithin concentrations showed no relationship to maternal urinary estrogen excretion. The value of serial estrogen measurements in predicting IUGR was emphasized. An evaluation of the amniotic fluid lecithin concentration in relation to respiratory function was made. Respiratory distress syndrome may occur even in growth retarded babies.