INCREASED PLATELET-ACTIVATING-FACTOR IN THE TRACHEAL ASPIRATES FROM NEONATES WITH PATENT DUCTUS-ARTERIOSUS

We investigated platelet-activating factor (PAF) in the tracheal aspir ate from 3 intubated low birth weight infants with symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). PAF increased with the onset of symptomatic P DA and decreased to the control range soon after the ductal closure. T he concentration of PAF in 26 samples taken during symptomatic PDA (me dian 16 pg/mug lipid phosphorus, range 1.4-1,200 pg/mug lipid phosphor us) was significantly higher than that of 31 samples from the same thr ee patients during the periods without symptomatic PDA (median 1.9 pg/ mug lipid phosphorus, range 0-12 pg/mug lipid phosphorus, P < 0.001). All 3 infants later developed chronic lung disease. These results sugg est that large shunting PDA provokes PAF release to the air way of the neonate and that PAF might play a role in chronic lung disease develo ping after symptomatic PDA.