Abstract
Preterm babies are highly susceptible to oxidative stress (OS) due to an imbalance between the oxidant and antioxidant systems. The generation of free radicals (FR) induces oxidative damage to multiple body organs and systems. OS is the main factor responsible for the development of typical premature infant diseases, such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity, necrotizing enterocolitis, intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, kidney damage, eryptosis, and also respiratory distress syndrome and patent ductus arteriosus. Many biomarkers have been detected to early identify newborns at risk of developing a free radical-mediated disease and to investigate new antioxidant strategies. This review reports the current knowledge on OS in the preterm newborns and the newest findings concerning the use of OS biomarkers as diagnostic tools, as well as in implementing antioxidant therapeutic strategies for the prevention and treatment of these diseases and their sequelae.
Highlights
The global incidence of preterm birth is approximately 10% of newborns [1] and represents the leading cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity [2]
Closure with ibuprofen and subsequently increased after seven days from treatment [81]. These findings suggest that ibuprofen has an antioxidant capacity to scavenge free radicals (FR) [82], which causes the initial decrease of oxidative stress (OS) biomarkers and a successive increase associated with the end of the drug effect [81]
OS occurs when there is an unbalance between pro-oxidant and antioxidant factors; this process leads to cellular and tissue damage
Summary
The global incidence of preterm birth is approximately 10% of newborns [1] and represents the leading cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity [2]. Preterms are highly susceptible to oxidative stress (OS), generated by an imbalance between oxidant and antioxidant that leads to an increased level of free radicals (FR) with subsequent oxidative damage to organs [7]. Oxygen resuscitation [9] and intensive care maneuvers such as assisted ventilation, surfactant administration [10], total parenteral nutrition [11], and blood transfusions [12] enhance FR production, which further increments OS. This process compromises irreversibly the nervous system development and generates organ damage, especially to kidney, ocular system, lung, and bowel
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
