Serum transferrin deficiency in neonatal respiratory distress syndrome

ABSTRACT

Serum transferrin was estimated by turbidimetry in 10 neonates with respiratory distress syndrome [RDS] and also in cord blood samples from 10 preterm babies and 7 infants of diabetic mothers [IDM] as risk groups for RDS. Ten full term healthy babies were included at birth as a control group. The mean serum transferrin values were significantly low in the groups of RDS [162.6 +/- 26 mg/dL] and preterm infants [169.2 +/- 22.1 mg / dL] as compared to the IDM [210.7 +/- 18.7 mg / dL] and the healthy babies [212.7 +/- 47.1 mg / dL]. It is possible that prematurity may developmentally lead to a decreased serum transferrin level and consequently to the availability of free [unbound] iron ready to catalyze the peroxidation of surfactant in the alveoli. By follow up, infants of RDS who had afatal outcome were more transferrin deficient than those who recovered. Moreover, the preterm infants and the IDM who developed RDS later had significantly lower cord blood transferrin concentrations than those who grew normally. We recommend screening of infants at risk of developing RDS for cord blood transferrin. lron chelation in RDS is worth trial and breast feeding and plasma transfusion as sources of antioxidants may offer adjuvant lines of prevention and treatment of RDS