[New aspects in the diagnosis and therapy of fetal lung immaturity. Determination of the infant respiratory system compliance. Analysis of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine in amniotic fluid. Use of carnitine for the enhancement of lung maturation. (Clinical and experimental results)].

The surfaceactive alveolar system (surfactant) is of central importance for a normal lung function of premature and neonates. The most important substance of this system consisting of phospholipids and lecithin is Dipalmitoyl-Phosphatidyl-Cholin (DPPC) because it specially lowers the surface tension in the alveola. A lack of surfactant leeds to the respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) of newborns which today still remains the most frequent cause of death of prematures. Many different methods have been tried to get information concerning lung maturity through analysis of phospholipids in the amniotic fluid; more over strong efforts have been made to stimulate surfactant production pharmacologically in case of diagnosed fetal lung immaturity. Corticosteroids have proven to be effective for this induction and are excepted world wide; however possible adverse effects on the mother and her fetus have let to discussions about the use of corticosteroids. Therefore the effect of Carnitine on fetal lung maturation in sheep was investigated in the experimental part of this study. The clinical part was devoted to other problems.