Abstract
The role of cholesterol in surfactant is poorly understood, but it is known to decrease lung surface-tension reducing properties in vitro. We studied lipid components of 24 tracheal aspirates from 16 mechanically ventilated infants, 29-36 wk gestation with respiratory distress (preterm A) and pharyngeal aspirates from 5 normal newborns. Mean airway pressure (Paw) was used as an index of noncompliant lung disease. Cholesterol (Chol) and phospholipids were quantified by thin-layer chromatography and reflectance densitometry. Surfactant of preterm A and normal infants was not significantly different except for diminished phosphatidylglycerol (PG). However, a subgroup of preterm A (preterm B; n=7) had mature lecithin:sphingomyelin ratios (L:S), but reversed lecithin:chol ratios (L:C). The data (±SEM) are as follows:
Preterm B infants required 17.3% greater Paw than preterm A infants (9.63 ± 1.6 SEM vs 7.96 ± .6 SEM). Despite a mature L:S, some preterm infants had added lung disease requiring increased Paw when the relationship of Lec to Chol was reversed.
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Ortiz, R., Cunningham, M., Desai, N. et al. 1709 SURFACTANT CHOLESTEROL AS RELATED TO RESPIRATORY DISTRESS IN PREMATURE INFANTS. Pediatr Res 15 (Suppl 4), 728 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-01728
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-01728