The aim of this pilot study was to determine Clara cell protein (CC16) concentration in bronchoalveolar lavages (BAL) fluid from\nfull-termand preterm(<37weeks� gestational age) neonates requiring respiratory support, having symptoms of neonatal respiratory\ndistress syndrome, and at risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). We hypothesized that CC16 may be predictive of BPD\ndiagnosis regardless of gestational age. BAL fluid CC16 was measured by ELISA at birth and at day 7 of life. Both groups that\ndeveloped BPD showed significantly decreased BAL fluid CC16 levels compared to those infants that did not develop the disease.\nCC16 positively correlated with diagnosis of BPD and negatively with the severity of the disease. These results suggest that BAL fluid\nCC16 levels may have a diagnostic value at day 7 for BPD in both term and preterm infants. This study demonstrates the potential\nutility of BAL fluid CC16 levels as a biomarker for BPD in term infants.
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