Original article
The disappearance of fetal lung fluid following birth†,††

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The fetal lung at term contains a large amount of extravascular water which fully expands the future air spaces. This study on full-term newborn rabbits shows that the extravascular fluid disappears slowly over a period of several days, initially more rapidly in those delivered vaginally as compared with those delivered by cesarean section. The mechanisms of removal of the fluid are discussed. To our surprise, lung blood volume did not increase as was anticipated.

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    • Cited by (0)

    †

    Supported by funds from the United States Public Health Service, the Los Angeles County Heart Association, and the National Cystic Fibrosis Research Foundation.

    ††

    Computing assistance was obtained from the Health Sciences Computing Facility, University of California at Los Angeles, sponsored by National Institutes of Health Special Resources Grant RR-3.

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    Copyright © 1971 Published by Mosby, Inc.