Nitric Oxide Production and Plasma Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate in Premature Infants with Respiratory Distress Syndrome (original) (raw)

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October 2002

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Biology of the Neonate

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Review Articles| October 04 2002

Tannette G. Krediet;

aDepartment of Neonatology, Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center, Utrecht, and

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Leonieke Valk;

aDepartment of Neonatology, Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center, Utrecht, and

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Ingrid Hempenius;

aDepartment of Neonatology, Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center, Utrecht, and

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Johannes Egberts;

bDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands

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Frank van Bel

aDepartment of Neonatology, Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center, Utrecht, and

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Biology of the Neonate (2002) 82 (3): 150–154.

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Abstract

A low blood pressure is common in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). A diminished vascular resistance appears to be an important cause. The endogenous production of nitric oxide (NO), a mediator of vascular smooth muscle relaxation, has been shown to be higher in infants with RDS than in those without. Infants with persistent pulmonary hypertension showed decreased endogenous NO levels as compared with controls. Severe RDS in preterm infants may be accompanied by persistent pulmonary hypertension. To elucidate the role of NO in RDS and low blood pressure, we determined the endogenous NO production in infants with and without RDS by measuring urinary nitrite and nitrate excretions and plasma cGMP levels. In consecutively admitted preterm infants (gestational age <32 weeks), urine samples for measurement of NO2 and NO3 and plasma samples for the determination of the cGMP concentrations were serially collected during the 1st week of life. Arterial blood pressure, therapy to support blood pressure, and additional relevant clinical data were registered simultaneously. 27 infants with and 39 without RDS were included. The urinary NOx levels increased in all patients and were not different between both groups. The plasma cGMP concentrations were higher in the RDS group on days 2, 3, 4, and 7 (p < 0.05). The severity of RDS was positively correlated with plasma cGMP (r = 0.50, p = 0.0001). Although the arterial blood pressure did not differ between the groups, more blood pressure support was needed in the RDS infants during the first 4 days (p < 0.05). A positive correlation was found between blood pressure support and plasma cGMP (r = 0.34, p < 0.0001). The endogenous NO production was not different in infants with and without RDS. Increased plasma cGMP levels in the RDS infants were associated with the severity of RDS and the intensity of antihypotensive treatment. The origin of cGMP in infants with RDS requires further research.

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© 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel

2002

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