Phosphatidylglycerol and neonatal mortality and morbidity

Abstract

In spite of major improvements in neonatal intensive care, mortality and morbidity remain a problem for the very preterm baby. In a study of 168 babies born before 36 weeks the presence of phosphatidylglycerol (PG) as a marker of fetal lung maturity in amniotic fluid or pharyngeal aspirate was associated with a lower requirement for ventilatory support and a reduced incidence of intraventricular haemorrhage and patent ductus arteriosus. It is suggested that the value of the antenatal assessment of fetal lung maturity should Perhaps be reviewed since babies in whom PG is absent appear to be at a high risk of sustaining considerable morbidity.

Pregnancy-related factors and diseases influencing surfactant

“…However, some very immature babies with PG in their amniotic fluid still developed severe respiratory disease underlining the difficulties of diagnosis at this gestational age when ventilatory support is commonly required. Nevertheless, those babies with PG tended to have a more benign course, with fewer complications, and this has been confirmed in a separate study [4].…”