The influence of some indicators of oxidative stress on development of intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm newborns with extremely low birth weight

Abstract

Oxidative stress is an imbalance between an enhanced reactive oxygen/nitrogen species and the lack of protective ability of antioxidants. Free radical-induced damage caused by oxidative stress seems to be a probable contributing factor to the pathogenesis of many newborn diseases, such as respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, periventricular leukomalacia, necrotizing enterocolitis, patent ductus arteriosus, and retinopathy of prematurity. We share the hope that the new understanding of the concept of oxidative stress and its relation to intraventricular hemorrhages in premature babies with ELBW will help to minimalize the morbitity and mortality in this group of patients.