ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: We studied to determine the effect of blood or meconium contamination on the TDx-FLM assay for the assessment of fetal lung maturity. We also studied to evaluate the degree of diluted contaminants that affect the results. METHODS: Nineteen samples of amnotic fluid-14 cases GA 37weeks-were collected and assayed for assessment of fetal lung maturity using tbe TDx-FLM assay. Among the above 19 samples, we used 12 samples-7 cases GA37 weeks-to contaminate with blood or meconium. Maternal blood was added to the amniotic fluid at increasing concentrations fro 1:10 to 1:1280. Diluted meconium (0.5g meconium/10ml amniotic fluid) was added at increasing concentration fiom 1:1 to 1:128. Each samples were assessed by TDx assay. RESULTS: TDx values in the cases of gestational age 37 weeks or more were matured level or borderline level(TDx value > 50mg/g), but below 37 weeks, TDx values wae immature level(TDx value < 50mg/g) except one case. In preterm cases, blood or meconium contamination did not affect the TDx values significantly, although the thick meamium contamination (diluted meconium: amniotic fluid 1:1 - 1:4) increased the TDx values. In term cases, they did not affect the TDx values. CONCLUSION: TDx test was suitable for the evaluation of fetal lung maturity regardless of blood or meconium contamination.