Am J Perinatol 2000; Volume 17(Number 04): 167-182
DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-9422
Copyright © 2000 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

THE PRECARIOUS ANTIOXIDANT DEFENSES OF THE PRETERM INFANT

Donald W. Thibeault
  • Department of Pediatrics, Children's Mercy Hospital and The University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri
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Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2000 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Oxygen radicals are considered to be major causative factors in many illnesses of preterm infants. This article reviews the antioxidant defenses in immature animals and preterm infants, and attempts to quantitate their vulnerabilities to oxidants. Sources of oxidants, including hyperoxia, iron, parenteral nutrition, nitric oxide, and pro-oxidants, and their impact on immature antioxidant defenses are discussed. Genetic manipulations of antioxidant enzymes such as knockout and transgenic mice models are reviewed. The various clinical and investigational antioxidant therapies in animals and humans and difficulties in the design of antioxidant therapy studies are explored.

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