Increased platelet activating factor in the tracheal aspirates from neonates with patent ductus arteriosus

Abstract We investigated platelet-activating factor (PAF) in the tracheal aspirate from 3 intubated low birth weight infants with symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). PAF increased with the onset of symptomatic PDA and decreased to the control range soon after the ductal closure. The concentration of PAF in 26 samples taken during symptomatic PDA (median 16 pg/μg lipid phosphorus, range 1.4–1,200 pg/μg lipid phosphorus) was significantly higher than that of 31 samples from the same three patients during the periods without symptomatic PDA (median 1.9 pg/μg lipid phosphorus, range 0–12 pg/μg lipid phosphorus; P ). All 3 infants later developed chronic lung disease. These results suggest 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 developing after symptomatic PDA.