The article below summarizes a roundtable discussion of a study published in this issue of the Journal in light of its methodology, relevance to practice, and implications for future research. Article discussed:
Quintero RA, Quintero LF, Chmait R, et al. The quantitative lung index (QLI): a gestational age–independent sonographic predictor of fetal lung growth. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2011;205:544.e1-8.
The full discussion appears at www.AJOG.org , pages e1-2.
Discussion Questions
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Is this an important question?
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What methods were used in this study?
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Should we use quantitative lung index (QLI) in practice?
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Can the QLI be used with magnetic resonance imaging?
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a relatively common fetal abnormality encountered in obstetrics. Its high mortality rate is mainly due to pulmonary hypoplasia. Efforts to predict the likelihood of pulmonary hypoplasia have centered on ultrasound-based measures, including an assessment of lung volume “standardized” against a fetal head circumference. The most commonly used measure in clinical practice is the lung area to head circumference ratio (LHR). It has been believed that the LHR is relatively constant across gestational ages, making it fairly easy to use and to explain to patients.
See related article, page 544
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