Does Haptoglobin Phenotype Influence Postnatal Morbidity in Preterm Neonates?

Background: Haptoglobin (Hp) is an acute phase protein with antioxidant, bacteriostatic, and anti-inflammatory activities. Hp proteins associated with the three major phenotypes differ in their proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory action. Inflammation and oxidative stress are both involved in most pathophysiological processes in premature infants.