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Rabbit alveolar saturated phosphatidylcholine (SPC) can be separated by differential and density gradient centrifugation of lung lavage into three fractions. One fraction ('B'), which is analogous to conventionally prepared alveolar surfactant, contains 46.0 +/- 5.9% (SD) of lavage SPC, and is made of large multilamellar vesicles or sheet-like structures. A second fraction ('C') does not sediment after centrifugation at 80 000 g for 90 min, contains 29.8 +/- 14.0% of lavage SPC, and a uniform population of small vesicles. This fraction incorporates 3H-palmitate administered intravenously with a small delay with respect to fraction 'B'. A third fraction ('D') contains almost all the cells of lavage and less than 5% of lavage SPC. We conclude that alveolar SPC consists of more than one compartment. The possible significance of isolated fractions is discussed.

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P e d i a t r i c s , Vancouver BC. Many parents f i n d themselves emotionally and cognitively unprepared t o r e l a t e t o their s i c k newborns. W e inform and involve parents by i n v i t i n g them t o informal group meetings s t a f f e d by an i n t e r d i s c i p l i n a r y team of social worker, nurse and physician. The group has met every week f o r 18 months.330 parents have attended.Sessions a r e 1% hours long and coincide with afternoon feeding in t h e regular nurseries. A1 1 parents receive a personal i n v i t a t i o n . Nursery and post-partum s t a f f a r e o r i e n t a t e d t o the purpose of the group. A relaxed and informal atmosphere encourages conversation and discussion. Common a n x i e t i e s a r e shared and parents recognize the disturbance of their emotions and l i f e -s t y l e t o be normal. The physician d e l i b e r a t e l y a r r i v e s l a t e and leaves e a r l y a f t e r giving a s h o r t t a l k and answering questions. Parents i n t e re s t s centre on a basic understanding of common conditions and treatment, the milestones of progress and ultimate outlook. Feeding and l a c t a t i o n a r e major concerns. W e have no control group, but p o s i t i v e feedback, good attendence and a higher p r o f i l e of social issues i n the nursery support the apparent value of t h i s group. Some parents become mutual l y supportive outside t h e group; p a r t i c u l a r l y those w i t h s i c k e r i n f a n t s . Concern t h a t the depth of discussion could d i s t r e s s some parents appears unfounded. Veteran mothers have caused anxiety by inappropriate comment. With this preventive approach t o parent care t h e social worker can i d e n t i f y parents a t risk and i n i t i a t e e a r l y counselling, and the time comnitment by s t a f f i s low f o r the degree of support achieved.. POSTNATAL CLEARANCE OF TRANSPLACENTAL PHENCYCLIDINE1369 TpNSMISSION IN THE HUMAN. Richard D. Marble, Richard G. Thomas, Melvyn L. S t e r l i n g , A . Robert J e f f c o a t (Spon. by Beverly C . Morgan). University of Californ i a , I r v i n e , Department of P e d i a t r i c s and Regional Poison Center.Phencyclidine (PCP) i s a s t r e e t drug commonly abused by young a d u l t s . To date transplacental transmission of PCP has not been demonstrated in humans. A known chronic PCP abuser was followed during pregnancy. Hypertonicity and i r r i t a b i l i t y were noted i n the newborn a t one hour of age, and with v e r t i c a l nystagmus and poor feeding were observed i n t e r m i t t e n t l y u n t i l 8 days of age. Cord blood PCP l e v e l was 36ng/ml by radioimmunoassay (RIA), and became negative by 4 days of age. Urines were positive q u a l i t at i v e l y by enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique (EMIT) t o 8 days of age and q u a n t i t a t i v e l y by gas chromatography with n i t r ogen phosphorus detection (GC) and RIA f o r 10 days. GC was spec i f i c f o r PCP while RIA a l s o detected metabolites.Urine PCP concentration was unrelated to u r ...