Indoor air pollution caused by using cooking fuel other than LPG and socio-economic factors are significantly associated with ALRTI.

OBJECTIVETo study serum lipid profiles in preterm infants and their relationship to severity of Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS). METHODSThe study was conducted on 29 neonates who were admitted to NICU with prematurity and respiratory distress. Respiratory distress was classified based on Downes' clinical scoring into mild distress (Score of 1-3), moderate distress (Score of 4-6) & sever distress (Score of 7-10). The venous blood samples were collected within 6 hours after birth for biochemical analysis of serum lipid levels Triglycerides (TG), Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL), High Density Lipoprotein (HDL), Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL), Total Cholesterol "TC," and their levels were analysed with the severity of respiratory distress. RESULTSPreterm infants with severe respiratory distress were found to have lower mean levels of serum lipid levels (TG, LDL, HDL, VLDL and TC) compared to mild and moderate respiratory distressed preterm new-borns and the results were found to be statistically significant (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONRespiratory distress is more sever in neonates with lower serum lipid levels. Severity of RDS is inversely proportional to serum lipid levels.

Lipid metabolism has an important role in fetal development during the late stage of gestation including growth and fat accretion in utero, increasing amniotic fluid lecithin levels with maturation of pulmonary function and changes in the levels of minor phospholipids in amniotic fluid. OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to compare cord lipid profiles of preterm infants with Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) and a control group without RDS. METHODThe study groups consisted of 56 preterm infants with gestational ages ranging from 28 to 36 weeks and birth weights ranging from 0.8 to 2.26kg. Of these infants, 29 developed RDS and 27 infants served as controls. Cord blood lipid profile was done in both the groups and compared. RESULTTotal cholesterol, high-density and Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterols levels were lower in infants with RDS than in controls (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONRDS is accompanied with lipid alteration in infants.

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