ANTIOXIDANTS AND NEONATAL LUNG-DISEASE

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains a clinical problem in survivo rs of neonatal intensive care despite recent advances which include su rfactant replacement. Oxygen toxicity may well be a component in the p athogenesis of BPD and disturbance of the oxidant-antioxidant balance constitutes a biochemical problem which should be addressed in the man agement of preterm babies. Preterm babies appear to have inadequate an tioxidant potential and yet when delivered may experience considerable oxidant stress. This imbalance may be ameliorated by antenatal steroi d therapy which augments pulmonary antioxidants as well as surfactant production. Augmentation of antioxidants by administration of exogenou s enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and catalase is possible in ani mal models but the clinical use of such therapies awaits further resea rch.