Anti-sFlt-1 Therapy Preserves Lung Alveolar and Vascular Growth in Antenatal Models of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia.

Rationale: Pregnancies complicated by antenatal stress, including preeclampsia (PE) and chorioamnionitis (CA), increase the risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm infants, but biologic mechanisms linking prenatal factors with BPD are uncertain. Levels of sFlt-1 (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1), an endogenous antagonist to VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), are increased in amniotic fluid and maternal blood in PE and associated with CA.

Objectives: Because impaired VEGF signaling has been implicated in the pathogenesis of BPD, we hypothesized that fetal exposure to sFlt-1 decreases lung growth and causes abnormal lung structure and pulmonary hypertension during infancy.

Antenatal Determinants of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia and Late Respiratory Disease in Preterm Infants.

Rationale: Mechanisms contributing to chronic lung disease after preterm birth are incompletely understood.

Objectives: To identify antenatal risk factors associated with increased risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and respiratory disease during early childhood after preterm birth, we performed a prospective, longitudinal study of 587 preterm infants with gestational age less than 34 weeks and birth weights between 500 and 1,250 g.

Methods: Data collected included perinatal information and assessments during the neonatal intensive care unit admission and longitudinal follow-up by questionnaire until 2 years of age.