Lamellar body count

Lamellar body count is a diagnostic test used primarily in the field of obstetrics and gynecology to assess fetal lung maturity. The test is performed on amniotic fluid obtained through amniocentesis.

Overview

Lamellar bodies are small organelles found in the cytoplasm of type II pneumocytes in the lungs. They are responsible for the production and storage of pulmonary surfactant, a substance that reduces surface tension in the lungs and prevents alveolar collapse. The number of lamellar bodies in the amniotic fluid can provide an indication of the maturity of the fetal lungs.

Procedure

The lamellar body count is obtained by centrifuging a sample of amniotic fluid and counting the number of lamellar bodies present using a hematology analyzer. The count is usually expressed as the number of bodies per microliter of fluid.

Interpretation

A high lamellar body count typically indicates that the fetal lungs are mature and that the baby is likely to be able to breathe independently after birth. A low count suggests that the lungs may not be fully mature, increasing the risk of respiratory distress syndrome if the baby is born prematurely.

Limitations

While the lamellar body count is a useful tool for assessing fetal lung maturity, it is not infallible. Other factors, such as the presence of blood or meconium in the amniotic fluid, can affect the accuracy of the count. Furthermore, even if the count is high, this does not guarantee that the baby will not experience respiratory problems after birth.

See also

• Fetal lung maturity
• Amniocentesis
• Pulmonary surfactant
• Respiratory distress syndrome