COMPLEMENT ANAPHYLATOXIN C3A AND C5A FORMATION IN PREMATURE CHILDREN WITH RESPIRATORY-DISTRESS

Premature children (n = 25) with respiratory distress (RD) were studie d regarding complement activation and formation of the anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a. Blood samples were drawn on admission to the paediatric i ntensive care unit. In 18 of the patients RD was accompanied by other perinatal complications like pneumothorax or intracerebral haemorrhage s. Seven of the premature children had RD without such complications. Preterm children with RD and with peri- and postnatal complications su ch as pneumothorax or intracerebral haemorrhage had increased concentr ations in plasma of the anaphylatoxins preterm children with RD withou t these complications. There was a positive correlation between the pl asma C3a and C5a concentrations in the preterm children. Conclusion Th e present study indicates that isolated RD will appear without signs o f complement activation and that complications like pneumothorax or in tracerebral haemorrhages are associated with release of the anaphylato xins C3a and C5a.