Investigation of broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BAL) in neonates with chronic lung disease

✍ Scribed by Peter Vervaart; Peter Dargaville

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1995
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 126 KB
• Volume: 28
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0009-9120
• DOI: 10.1016/0009-9120(95)91466-g

✦ Synopsis

In this study 55 neonates with c]~mmc Imtg disease had BAL coltccted by the method of non bronchoscopic broncho-alveolar lavage. Specimens coUected weoe amdysed for s.pcro~dd¢ dL~nutos¢ (SOD) a.d total protein, albumin and m~a as markers of d~lution. Control samples we,re co~eoted from 28 age matched pati¢=ds unde~omg geaersl anaesthesia. A positive correlation (p<0.05) was found betwe~ SOD and total protein, albumin and urea. Comparison of patients with controls showed that neonates with lung disease had significantly highcr (p<0.001) levels of protein, albumin and ur~ than controls, however, SOD levels were not significa~ly different (p=0.073). This s.ggests increased vascular pe~neability in neonates with chronic lung disease. Wh~ SOD was expressed in terms of protein ,,d albumin, neonates with lung disease had significantly lower (p<I).0001) SOD to protein ratios than normal controls. This could suggest either inadequate SOD production or a dilutional effect. SOD to urea ratios were not significantly different Investigation of BAL should prove to be a useful tool in ~dhtg the underlying pathology occurmg in neonates with chronic lung dL~as¢.