Abstract
Background:Natural surfactant(SF, SF-RI1)administration results in improved gas exchange in RDS whereas infants suffering from congenital pneumonia (CP) exhibit a diminished response following SF(Monatsschr Kinderheilk (1990) 138: 274-278). We therefore investigated tracheal aspirates of infants with RDS and CP with respect to biochemical and biophysical properties, who were given rescue-treatment (FiO >0.5 for paO >50 mmHg).
Patients and Methods:78 tracheal aspirates (>12h post SF) were obtained from 12 infants with RDS (median GA 28.5 wks, b.w.1169g) and 13 infants suffering from CP (GA 26.7, b.w. 947g) after administration of 0.5 ml/kg b.w.0.9% saline for routine suctioning. Analysis of phospholipids (PL) was performed by encymatic determination, total protein (Prot) content by the Lowry-Method. Biophysical properties (γ min/max)were evaluated by a modified Enhorning pulsating bubble surfactometer. Respirator settings of the respective periods were correlated to biochemical and biophysical parameters.
Results: PL(mmol/l) Prot(g/l) γmin(mN/m) γmax(mNm) FiO PIP(cmH O) RDS(n=12)0.268±0.07 1.13±0.25 36.8±1.67 53.9±1.72 0.39±0.05 21.0±0.7 CP (n=13)0.152±0.04 0.98±0.14 35.2±1.58 51.5±1.75 0.51±0.04 23.2±1.0 All data: mean ± SE. Differences in biochemical and biophysical properties are without statistical significance.
Conclusion: We were unable to explain differences in clinical response following administration of SF in infants suffering from RDS versus CP by biochemical and biophysical analyses of tracheal aspirates.
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Gortnerl, L., Bühler, S. & Weller, E. BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL EVALUATION OF TRACHEAL ASPIRATES IN PRETERH INFANTS: CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS. Pediatr Res 32, 635 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199211000-00181
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199211000-00181