The introduction of mifepristone priming prior to second trimester medical termination with misoprostol has resulted in a significant reduction in the duration of the termination procedure and length of inpatient stay. These observed benefits of mifepristone provide objective support for the decision to permit use of this medication in Australia.
Objective: In our laboratory, a decrease in fetal lung maturity (FLM) testing on amniotic fluid occurred over a 10-year period, and we desired to determine if this was a national phenomenon and, if present, ascertain possible etiologies.Study Design: Society of Maternal-Fetal Medicine fellows, both in academic centers and private practice, were surveyed with regard to current usage of FLM testing.Result: Of 680 surveys, 417 (61%) responses were returned and 60% noted a decrease in FLM testing (range of reductionFfoam stability index 65%, fluorescence polarization 35%, phosphatidyl glycerol 71%, lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio 70%). The most common reason suggested for the decline is that the tests were not needed for patient management.Conclusion: Obstetric patterns of FLM testing have declined, principally in near-term pregnancies, and this could adversely affect neonatal outcome.
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