A novel method for collecting vaginal pool for fetal lung maturity studies.

Abstract

Fetal lung maturity (FLM) studies using vaginal pool can guide management in near-term gestations with rupture of membranes. Because an adequate sample may be difficult to collect using a syringe, we tested collection using a sterile sponge. In this prospective study, vaginal pool was collected via both a syringe and a sponge from each gravida. Study patients experienced rupture of membranes between 34-41 weeks of gestation. Each sample was analyzed using the TDx-FLM II assay and phosphatidylglycerol (PG) testing. Fifty patients were enrolled; 44 demonstrated concordant syringe/sponge results. There was 1 instance of mature TDx-FLM testing using a sponge but not a syringe; PG testing in this case was absent in both samples. Using the kappa statistic, agreement between the methods was "substantial" for TDx-FLM and "almost perfect" for PG. Collecting vaginal pool with a sponge may provide clinically useful information, particularly when PG is present.