lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio (LS ratio)

Indications

• impending premature delivery
  • one of several methods to determine of fetal lung maturity

Reference interval

• < 2.0 = immature lungs

Methods

• thin-layer chromatography

Specimen

• amniotic fluid

More general terms

• fetal lung maturity assessment

Additional terms

• phosphatidylcholine (lecithin)
• sphingomyelin