Total antioxidant capacity and total oxidant status after surfactant treatment in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome.

Background: Oxidative damage is important in the pathogenesis of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). However, data on the effect of surfactant therapy on oxidative stress in vivo are limited. We aimed to evaluate the oxidant/antioxidant status in preterm infants with RDS via measurement of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidant status (TOS), to determine the effect of surfactant on oxidant/antioxidant balance and to assess the association between TAC, TOS and clinical outcomes of the patients.

Methods: Sixty-nine infants with RDS were included. Blood samples for determining TAC and TOS were collected before and 48 h after surfactant treatment. TAC and TOS levels were analysed in serum. Patients were followed up until discharge or death.

Results: Post-surfactant TAC levels were significantly higher than pre-surfactant TAC levels (P = 0.029). TAC/TOS ratio significantly increased after surfactant treatment (P = 0.018). Infants <28 weeks of gestational age had lower levels of baseline TAC than those ≥28 weeks of gestational age (P = 0.020), whereas TOS levels were similar. Baseline TAC/TOS ratio was lower in infants who died in the study period than those who survived (P = 0.023). After controlling gestational age, baseline TAC levels were significantly and inversely correlated with the duration of total respiratory support (r = -0.343; P = 0.009) and hospitalization (r = -0.341; P = 0.009). TAC or TOS levels were not associated with the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia or other complications as determined during the investigation period.

Conclusions: Oxidant-antioxidant balance shifts in favour of the antioxidant system after surfactant treatment. Lower TAC/TOS ratio in preterm infants may be associated with increased mortality.