All issues > Volume 31(10); 1988

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1988;31(10):1267-1274. Published online October 31, 1988.

A Role of Electrolytes in Fetal Tracheal Fluids As a Fetal Lung Maturity Profile.

Dong Hak Shin¹, Sung Do Yoon²

¹Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Keimyung University, Taegu, Korea
²Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, School of Medicine, Keimyung University, Taegu, Korea

Received: April 11, 1988;  Accepted: May 4, 1988.

Abstract

The Fetal lung is filled by fluid from the beginning of the canalicular stage until the completion of fetal development. The fluid is produced by the lungs and flows out of the traches: Part of it is swallowed & part enters the amniotic fluid. The fluid is differs in composition from the plasma & amniotic fluid. Ifs electrolytes components change very little during gestation except for potassium, which doubles from 4 〜5 mEg/L to 8 〜9 mEg/L during the last 2 weeks of gestation. The increase in potassium flux parallels the increase in the amount of surfactant in lung fluid that occurs near term, and is probably a reflexion of the increased secretum by alveolar cells. Under above logical background, we have tried laboratory work & got some results as follows. 1) The concentration of the fetal tracheal flued K level became almost double from 4.5 mEg/L to 8.8 mEg/L during the last 2 weeks of gestational age, and it seem’d paralied the increase in the amount of lung surfactant. 2) There were no significant correlationship between the level of fetal tracheal fluids electrolytes and the PROM, duration of labor, the route of albor & oxytocin use. 3) There were significant dorrelationship between the level of fetal tracheal K level in case of higher Apgar score (over 7 point) & higher birth weigh (over 2500 gm).

Keywords :Tracheal Fluids Electrolytes, Fetal Lung Maturity