Abstract
Leukotrienes mediating inflammation (LTB4) and bronchoconstriction (LTC4), may be involved in the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). We studied LTB4, LTC4, and cell counts in serial tracheal aspirates from 53 ventilated neonates (respiratory distress syndrome=RDS:21, pneumonia=INF:12, pulmonary maladaptation=PMA:10, surgery for non pulmonary disease=controls:10. In 10 infants BPD was diagnosed on day 28.
Results: On day 1 leukotriene levels (LTB4, LTC4, ng/ml, means) were elevated (p<0.05) in ventilated infants as compared to controls (0.07; 1.1):INF (0.89; 3.1), RDS (0.20;1.9), PMA (0.17;3.3).During continued ventilation, no significant LTB4;LTC4 changes were observed. At age 30 to 50 days, in BPD-infants levels were 0.38; 4.0. Leukotrienes did neither correlate with cell count nor with oxygen requirement nor mean airway pressure.
Conclusions: Longterm leukotriene elevation may indicate recurrent infections which may aggravate BPD, but is not of prognostic significance.
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Kattner, E., Corenflo, M., Waib, E. et al. 169 LEUKOTRIENES IN TRACHEAL ASPIRATES OF VENTATED NEWBORNS WITH OR WITHOUT BPD. Pediatr Res 30, 656 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199112000-00199
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199112000-00199