Abstract
Introduction:
The presence of microorganisms in gastric fluid in neonates at birth is postulated to reflect antenatal infection and also to be associated with the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).
Results:
A logistic regression analysis, after controlling for other risk factors, indicated that Ureaplasma–positive infants were not at increased risk for moderate/severe BPD (adjusted odds ratio (OR): 2.58, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.57–6.89, P = 0.12). However, the association between the presence of Ureaplasma species and the risk for moderate/severe BPD increased significantly in infants on mechanical ventilation (MV) ≥2 wk (adjusted OR: 4.17, 95% CI: 1.62–44.1, P = 0.009). An analysis using a lung injury marker indicated that Ureaplasma–positive infants with MV ≥2 wk, but not other infants, showed higher serum KL-6 levels in samples taken from cord blood, and that KL-6 levels increased time-dependently up to 4 wk of age.
Discussion:
Antenatal exposure to Ureaplasma species induces lung injury prior to birth and synergistically contributes to the development of BPD in infants requiring prolonged MV (≥2 wk).
Methods:
We recovered gastric fluid specimens from 122 infants with gestational age (GA) <29 wk or birth weight <1,000 g to investigate whether these microorganisms influence respiratory outcome of BPD. A PCR analysis was used to detect urease and 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes to classify neonates into Ureaplasma–positive or Ureaplasma–negative infants.
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Inatomi, T., Oue, S., Ogihara, T. et al. Antenatal exposure to Ureaplasma species exacerbates bronchopulmonary dysplasia synergistically with subsequent prolonged mechanical ventilation in preterm infants. Pediatr Res 71, 267–273 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/pr.2011.47
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/pr.2011.47
