The Measurement of the Lecithin-Sphingomyelin Ratio of Amniotic Fluid after Thin-Layer Chromatography

Abstract
The estimation of the lecithin-sphingomyelin (L.S.) ratio on thin-layer chromatograms has been shown to vary depending upon the stain used to identify the phospholipids and the method employed to estimate the two components. The factors involved in causing these variations have been evaluated using standard phospholipid solutions and confirmed in clinical material. Staining with a phosphomolybdic acid stain followed by transmission densitometry was found to be an accurate and sensitive method for clinical purposes.