The serum thioredoxin-1 levels are not associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia and retinopathy of prematurity

Background

We hypothesized that the serum TRX-1 in extremely preterm infants (EPIs) after birth was associated with the development of severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

Methods

This single-centered retrospective study enrolled EPIs treated at our institution. Serum TRX-1 concentrations of the residual samples taken on admission, day 10–20 of life, and 36–40 weeks of postmenstrual age (PMA) were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

The serum TRX-1 levels on admission were not different between the severe BPD (n = 46) and non-severe BPD groups (n = 67): [median (interquartile range) 147 (73.0–231) vs. 164 (80.5–248) ng/mL] (P = 0.57). These had no significant difference between the severe ROP (n = 47) and non-severe ROP groups (n = 66): [164 (71.3–237) vs. 150 (80.9–250) ng/mL] (P = 0.93). The TRX-1 levels at 10–20 days of life and 36–40 weeks of PMA also had no association with the development of severe BPD and ROP.

Conclusion

The serum TRX-1 levels after birth are not predictive of severe BPD and ROP.

Impact

Serum thioredoxin-1 levels in extremely preterm infants on the day of birth are lower than those in term or near-term infants hospitalized for transient tachypnea of the newborn.

In extremely preterm infants, the serum thioredoxin-1 levels on the day of birth, at 10–20 days of life, and at postmenstrual age of 36–40 weeks were not associated with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia and retinopathy of prematurity.

The thioredoxin system is under development in extremely preterm infants; however, the serum thioredoxin-1 level is not predictive for severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia and retinopathy of prematurity.