Antioxidants and neonatal lung disease.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains a clinical problem in survivors of neonatal intensive care despite recent advances which include surfactant replacement. Oxygen toxicity may well be a component in the pathogenesis of BPD and disturbance of the oxidant-antioxidant balance constitutes a biochemical problem which should be addressed in the management of preterm babies. Preterm babies appear to have inadequate antioxidant potential and yet when delivered may experience considerable oxidant stress. This imbalance may be ameliorated by antenatal steroid therapy which augments pulmonary antioxidants as well as surfactant production. Augmentation of antioxidants by administration of exogenous enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and catalase is possible in animal models but the clinical use of such therapies awaits further research.