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Objective: To correlate fetal morphometrics with studies of fetal lung maturity., Study Design: One hundred six patients undergoing amniocentesis for fetal lung maturity studies were examined prospectively. Eighty-four patients were normal (79%), and 22 were diabetic (21%). Fetal morphometrics were obtained prior to amniocentesis. The fetal colon and placenta were graded. Discriminant analysis was used to identify variables that were predictive of a mature lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio and the presence of phosphatidylglycerol (PG). All patients delivered within 48 hours of amniocentesis., Results: In the normal group, 28 (33%) fetuses had a grade 3 colon, which was 68% sensitive and 98% specific for a mature amniocentesis. A grade 3 colon was the single best predictor of a mature amniocentesis (P < .001). Twenty-five (29%) fetuses had a grade 3 placenta, which was 64% sensitive and 96% specific for a mature amniocentesis (P < .005). Diabetes did not influence colonic grading since a grade 3 colon was present in seven (32%) patients (47% sensitivity and 100% specificity for PG) (P < .02). Interexaminer and intraexaminer variability for the study was excellent, kappa = 1.0 (P < .001)., Conclusion: Colonic and placental stage 3 grading are reliable and reproducible ultrasonographic scales that can help predict the findings of fetal lung maturity studies.

Objective: To characterize the performance of vacuum equipment used in operative vaginal deliveries., Study Method: We measured wall suction in eight Cleveland area labor-and-delivery units. Additionally, we tested samples of hand-operated and electric vacuum pumps. For each apparatus we recorded vacuum in millimeters of mercury using a calibrated, diaphragm-type gauge. We calculated mean maximal vacuum. Work required to produce 500 mm Hg of vacuum was determined for the hand-operated pumps. At increments of vacuum, we compared the vacuum displayed by the gauge head included with the device to our standard., Results: Mean wall suction was 494 mm Hg (range, 248-655). As compared to the Mity-vac, the CMI hand-operated pump needed significantly more work to generate 500 mm Hg of vacuum. Electric pumps produced a reliable and consistent vacuum. Gauges included with the pump had an average error of 4% over 400-600 mm Hg., Conclusion: Wall suction was an unreliable source of vacuum. The two hand-operated pumps tested required significantly different amounts of work to achieve an adequate vacuum. Addition of a fluid trap does not affect the vacuum, and head gauges supplied with vacuum pumps are accurate.