Lamellar bodies are concentrically-layered structures produced by Type II pneumocytes. They consist almost entirely of phospholipids and represent the storage form of pulmonary surfactant. As the fetal lung matures, increased lamellar body production is reflected by an increase in amniotic fluid (AF) phospholipids and the L/S (lecithin-sphingomyelin) ratio. The lamellar body count is obtained by analyzing the AF sample with a cell counter and recording the platelet count.
Lamellar Body Count 15 to 40 x 10E9/L: Moderate range
Lamellar Body Count >40 x 10E9/L: High Range-probably mature fetal lung. In case of discrepancies, always interpret results using reference ranges as stated on laboratory reports and/or electronic patient chart.