A blood test can help predict which preterm babies will go onto develop chronic lung disease, allowing for earlier diagnosis and more targeted treatments, according to a new study. The research, led by Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) and published in the American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology found that changes in certain blood proteins, alongside gestational age, birth weight and sex, strongly predicated bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) within 72 hours of life. BPD usually occurs when a baby's lungs are damaged by respiratory support and the long-term use of oxygen.
The disease affects 65 per cent of preterm infants and results in lifelong chronic lung disease and neurodevelopmental disabilities. The study, which examined 493 blood proteins, involved 23 babies born before 29 weeks' gestation at the Royal Women's Hospital. Changes found in 49 of these proteins were detected in babies who later developed BPD.
Some differences were noticeable within four hours of a baby being born. MCRI's Dr. Prue Pereira-Fantini said the study provided a comprehensive map of what occurred in babies with BPD and gave valuable insight about key biological changes in the first few days of life.
"Our ability to predict, prevent and treat BPD is limited," she said. The tool currently used for early prediction of BPD severity currently fails to look at the disease pathology. "A BPD diagnosis is usually made at 36 weeks post-menstrual age, which limits potential treat.