Oxidative Stress Related Diseases in Newborns

Abstract

We review oxidative stress-related newborn disease and the mechanism of oxidative damage. In addition, we outline diagnostic and therapeutic strategies and future directions. Many reports have defined oxidative stress as an imbalance between an enhanced reactive oxygen/nitrogen species and the lack of protective ability of antioxidants. From that point of view, 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 newborn diseases that has been made possible by new diagnostic techniques will throw light on the treatment of those diseases.

Figure 1

The imbalance between prooxidants and antioxidants in “oxygen radical disease of neonatology.” BPD, bronchopulmonary dysplasia; ROP, retinopathy of prematurity; NEC, necrotizing enterocolitis; PVL, periventricular leukomalacia; PDA, patent ductus arteriosus; RDS, respiratory distress syndrome; IUGR, intrauterine growth retardation; OS, oxidative stress; ROS, reactive oxygen species.