Inhaled nitric oxide and neonatal brain damage: experimental and clinical evidences

Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) has been used not only for pulmonary vasodilation in term neonates with hypoxemic respiratory failure, but also in preterm ones at risk of chronic lung disease (CLD) with variable results in prevention and treatment of CLD and/or brain injury. However, meta analysis of clinical trials does not support that iNO should be used routinely in preterm infants with hypoxic respiratory failure as it has no convincing long-term follow-up data to show its advantages in neurodevelopment. Investigation of extra-pulmonary effects of iNO through nitrosothiol hemoglobin-associated hypoxic vasodilation, as well as its intra- and extra-pulmonary anti-inflammation effect, would have biological and physiological potential in the management of the lung and brain injury of prematurity. The eligibility and safety of iNO in these premature infants at high risk of neurodevelopmental disability require more clinical and follow-up effort to test its pharmacological benefit over harm.