Surfactant phosphatidylcholine metabolism in preterm infants studied with stable isotopes

textabstractAIM OF THE STUDIES 1. To develop and use a novel method to study surfactant metabolism in preterm and older infants. (chapters 3 and 4). 2. To study endogenous surfactant synthesis in relation to prenatal glucocorticosteroids. (chapters 5 and 6). 3. To study the influence of surfactant therapy on endogenous surfactant metabolism. (chapters 7 and 8). 4. To study surfactant composition and concentration after surfactant therapy. (chapter 8).