Hagman C, et al. - Researchers ascertained whether low levels of club cell secretory protein (CC16) in gastric fluid at birth, reflecting low levels of CC16 in the lung, would be correlated with lung inflammation and respiratory morbidity. Participants in the study were 64 infants with a mean gestational age 26.1 weeks. They analyzed CC16 in gastric fluid at birth. In addition, CC16, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and MMP-9 were analyzed in tracheal aspirate within 24 h from birth. The data presented in this work showed a low CC16 concentration in gastric fluid at birth was correlated with increased inflammation in the trachea within the first 24 h of life and with more demand for respiratory support in the neonatal period.