Role of Genetic Susceptibility in the Development of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia.

Objective: To assess heritable contributions to bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) risk in a twin cohort restricted to gestational age at birth <29 weeks.

Study Design: A total of 250 twin pairs (192 dichorionic, 58 monochorionic) born <29 weeks gestational age with known BPD status were identified. Three statistical methods applicable to twin cohorts (χ test, intraclass correlations [ICCs], and ACE modeling [additive genetic or A, common environmental or C, and unique environmental or E components]) were applied.

The Frequency and Severity of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Abnormalities in Infants with Mild Neonatal Encephalopathy.

Objective: To assess and contrast the incidence and severity of abnormalities on cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) between infants with mild, moderate, and severe neonatal encephalopathy who received therapeutic hypothermia.

Study Design: This retrospective cohort studied infants with mild, moderate, and severe neonatal encephalopathy who received therapeutic hypothermia at a single tertiary neonatal intensive care unit between 2013 and 2015. Two neuroradiologists masked to the clinical condition evaluated brain MRIs for cerebral injury after therapeutic hypothermia using the Barkovich classification system.

Low urine vascular endothelial growth factor levels are associated with mechanical ventilation, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and retinopathy of prematurity.

Background: Organ-specific vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression is decreased during the pathogenesis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) several weeks before either disease can be diagnosed. Early measurement of organ-specific tissue VEGF levels might allow identification of infants at high risk for these diseases, but is not clinically feasible. Urine VEGF is easily measured and useful in early diagnosis of several diseases.