[Toxicity of oxygen and (Cu) superoxide dismutase and (Mn) superoxide dismutase in newborn infants with respiratory distress. Preliminary results].

Twelve premature newborns mechanically ventilated with high FiO2 for hyaline membrane disease were tested for SOD contents during their first two weeks of life. CuSOD and MnSOD were measured in plasma, platelets and red cells using a radioimmunology method. No correlation was found between FiO2 levels neither with CuSOD and MnSOD contents. Furthermore no correlation was found between the SOD contents, at birth, and the constitution of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Our results don't prove any relationship between lack of SOD and BPD. BPD pathogeny is certainly plurifactorial. Other protecting systems against O2 toxicity are also known to play an important role.