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DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1735774
Maternal Plasma Lysophosphatidylcholine Acyltransferase 1 Levels May Allow for Rapid Non-Invasive Assessment of Fetal Lung Maturity
Objective: About 15 million babies are born premature and many suffer from respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). RDS is caused by lings that are too immature to produce surfactant. Lysophosphatidylcholine Acyltransferase 1 (LPCAT1) is crucial for surfactant production. We seek to determine if maternal plasma levels of LPCAT1 can be used as a non-invasive marker of lung maturity.
Methods: Under IRB approval, women with singleton pregnancies between 28- and 40-weeks’ gestation were invited for serial blood draws. Those with anemia, medical or obstetrical complications were excluded. Samples were collected in EDTA tubes, RNA quantified through reverse transcription PCR and protein levels measured by ELISA. Significance was set at p < 0.05
Results: Levels of cell-free fetal mRNA for LPCAT1 correlates with amniotic fluid lamellar bodies (r2=0.81). A linear correlation between LPCAT1 protein levels and lamellar bodies was also found.
Conclusion: The development of a non-invasive biomarker for lung maturity may allow obstetricians to individualize clinical decisions and treatment plans.
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No conflict of interest has been declared by the author(s).
Publication History
Article published online:
17 September 2021
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