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Angiopoietin 2 concentrations in infants developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia: attenuation by dexamethasone

Journal of Perinatology volume 28, pages 149–155 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Objectives:

To study the association between angiopoietin 2 (Ang2) concentrations in tracheal aspirates (TAs) and adverse outcome (bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)/death) in ventilated premature infants (VPIs) and modulation of Ang2 concentrations with dexamethasone (Dex) use.

Study Design:

Serial TA samples were collected on days 1, 3, 5 and 7, and Ang2 concentrations were measured. Ang2 TA concentrations were compared prior to and after 48 to 72 h of using Dex.

Result:

A total of 151 TA samples were collected from 60 VPIs. BPD was defined as the oxygen requirement at 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA). Twelve infants (mean±s.d.) (gestational age (GA) 26.5±2.1 weeks, birth weight (BW) 913±230 g) had no BPD, 32 infants (GA 25.8±1.4 weeks, BW 768±157 g) developed BPD and 16 infants (GA 24.5±1.1 weeks, BW 710±143 g) died before 36 weeks PMA. Ang2 concentrations were significantly lower in infants with no BPD (median, 25th and 75th percentile) (157, 16 and 218 pg mg−1) compared with those who developed BPD (234, 138 and 338 pg mg−1, P=0.03) or BPD and/or death (234, 157 and 347 pg mg−1, P=0.017), in the first week of life. Twenty-six VPIs (BW 719±136 g, GA 25.1±1.3 weeks) received 27 courses of Dex. Ang2 concentrations before starting Dex were 202, 137 and 278 pg mg−1 and significantly decreased to 144, 0 and 224 pg mg−1 after therapy (P=0.007).

Conclusions:

Higher Ang2 concentrations in TAs are associated with the development of BPD or death in VPIs. Dex use suppressed Ang2 concentrations.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Charlene Martin, RN; Jane Hasson, RN; Valerie Gibson, RN and Lois Meyer, RN; for their help in screening babies for enrollment and collecting tracheal aspirates. We also thank Kee Pyon, PhD, for her help in analyzing data and reviewing the manuscript. This study was supported in part by grants from American Lung Association of New Jersey (ZH) and HL-74195 (VB) from the NHLBI of the National Institutes of Health, USA.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Cooper University Hospital Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, UMDNJ, Camden, NJ, USA

    Z H Aghai, S Faqiri, J G Saslow, T Nakhla, S Farhath, A Kumar & G Stahl

  2. Department of Surgery, Cooper University Hospital Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, UMDNJ, Camden, NJ, USA

    R Eydelman, L Strande & P Leone

  3. Division of Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA

    V Bhandari

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Aghai, Z., Faqiri, S., Saslow, J. et al. Angiopoietin 2 concentrations in infants developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia: attenuation by dexamethasone. J Perinatol 28, 149–155 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211886

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