title: Phosphatidylcholine content and fatty acid composition of tracheal and gastric liquids from premature and full-term newborn infants.
abstract: The phosphatidylcholine content and fatty acid composition of tracheal and gastric liquids from newborn full-term and premature (30-36 weeks) infants were studied. Phosphatidylcholine accounted for about 70% of the total phospholipids in both liquids from the full-term infants but only 55-57% of those from the prematures. There was a significant correlation between tracheal and gastric liquids in the fatty acid composition of phosphatidylcholine. There were significant differences in fatty acid composition between the full-term and premature liquids. These differenences were most apparent in the gastric liquid. It is suggested that phospholipid or fatty acid analysis of tracheal or gastric liquids from newborn infants can be used in the assessment of pulmonary maturity.
mesh_terms: D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000378:metabolism*; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D014132:Trachea / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D010743:Phospholipids