AGE-DEPENDENCY OF SURFACTANT PHOSPHOLIPIDS AND SURFACTANT PROTEIN-A IN BRONCHOALVEOLAR LAVAGE FLUID OF CHILDREN WITHOUT BRONCHOPULMONARY DISEASE

Whilst alterations in surfactant components of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) have been described in a variety of pulmonary diseases in adults, no information is available on the surfactant composition in children beyond the neonatal period. In order to obtain reference valu es for the paediatric age group, we have studied phospholipid profiles of BALF in children without pulmonary disease. The study population c onsisted of 38 children aged 3-15 yrs (mean+/-SD 8+/-4 yrs) undergoing elective surgery for nonpulmonary illnesses. Surfactant composition w as analysed by high pressure liquid chromatography using both an ultra violet and a light-scattering detector. Total phospholipid concentrati on was higher in children under 8 yrs of age and decreased with age. I n contrast, the total protein concentration remained constant througho ut the age range. No age-related changes in the relative composition o f phospholipid fractions could be observed. Surfactant protein A conce ntrations were highly variable in all age groups. This study provides the first data on surfactant components in bronchoalveolar lavage flui d of healthy children and will be the basis for future studies of chil dren with pulmonary diseases.