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Oxygen toxicity in the neonatal period
1Department of Paediatrics and Paediatric Research, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway.
Acta Paediatrica Scandinavica
|October 1, 1990
Summary
Newborns treated with oxygen may overproduce harmful oxygen radicals, potentially causing serious health issues. This highlights the critical role of oxygen radicals in neonatal diseases and perinatal circulation.
Area of Science:
- Neonatology
- Free Radical Biology
- Perinatal Medicine
Background:
- Oxygen toxicity arises from the production of oxygen radicals.
- The hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase system is a key source of oxygen radicals.
- Hypoxic newborns with elevated hypoxanthine treated with oxygen risk excessive radical production, overwhelming natural defenses, which may be compromised in preterm infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of oxygen radicals in neonatal diseases.
- To investigate the impact of oxygen radical generation on perinatal circulation.
- To propose a unified concept of "Oxygen Radical Disease in Neonatology".
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on oxygen radical generation in neonates.
- Analysis of the hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase system in hypoxic infants.
- Speculative analysis of oxygen radicals' role in perinatal circulation regulation.
Main Results:
- Hypoxic newborns treated with oxygen are susceptible to excessive oxygen radical production.
- Conditions like bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity, necrotizing enterocolitis, and patent ductus arteriosus may be linked to oxygen radicals.
- Oxygen radicals might play a regulatory role in perinatal circulation.
Conclusions:
- Oxygen radicals are implicated in several serious neonatal conditions, potentially representing a single disease entity.
- Understanding oxygen radical involvement could revolutionize the treatment and management of sick newborns.
- Further research is needed to confirm the role of oxygen radicals in perinatal circulation and neonatal diseases.