Lyso-phosphatidylcholine and outcome of preterm babies with respiratory distress syndrome treated with surfactant.
Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is the predominant phospholipid in natural surfactant preparations. A metabolic intermediate, lyso-PC, is potentially injurious to the lungs. In the present study, tracheal aspirates from preterm babies with respiratory distress syndrome treated with surfactant were examined for the presence of lyso-PC to determine if there was any correlation with outcome. Eighteen babies were assigned to receive initially either 100 or 200 mg/kg Curosurf followed by up to three further 100-mg/kg doses if required. Lyso-PC was present in aspirates taken 12-24 h after the last treatment from nine of 11 infants who initially received 200 mg/kg but in only one from seven receiving 100 mg/kg initially, and was dependent on the total dose of phospholipid administered. Three babies in the low-dose group developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia, whereas two in the high-dose group were non-survivors, however we could not correlate the presence of lyso-PC with adverse long-term outcome in this group of preterm infants.
O'Hare
M M
MM
Department of Child Health, Queen's University of Belfast, Ireland, UK. m.ohare@qub.ac.uk
Bingham
A M
AM
McMaster
C
C
Halahakoon
W L
WL
Corcoran
J D
JD
Halliday
H L
HL
D001688:Biological Products; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008244:Lysophosphatidylcholines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D010743:Phospholipids; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality
D001688:Biological Products; D008244:Lysophosphatidylcholines; D010743:Phospholipids; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants; C006065:We 201; C068291:poractant alfa