Gastric aspirate L/S ratio and umbilical cord blood total protein as predictors in RDS

Gastric aspirate L/S ratio and cord blood protein concentration were measured in 150 newborn infants, 33 of whom developed respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). 46.6% of the infants with low gastric aspirate L/S value (less than or equal to 3) and 33.3% of the infants with serum protein of less than or equal to 46 g/l developed RDS. The sensitivity of both parameters was 81.8%. Combination of these two methods yielded a higher predictive value (62.2%) but decreased the sensitivity (69.7%). The patterns of phospholipids reflect lung maturity, but also serum protein levels indicating overall maturity and the osmotic powers of microcirculation may be of diagnostic value in featuring developing RDS.