The Correlation Between Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia and Platelet
Metabolism in Preterm Infants
Abstract
Objective: To explore the relationship between platelet metabolism and
bronchopulmonary dysplasia in premature infants. Methods: A prosepective
case-control study was performed in a cohort of premature infants (born
with a gestational age less than 33 weeks and a birth weight less than
1500 grams) between June 2017 and June 2018. Subjects were stratified
into two groups according to the diagnostic of bronchopulmonary
dysplasia: with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD group) and without
bronchopulmonary dysplasia (control group). Platelet count, circulating
megakaryocyte count (MK), platelet activating markers (CD62P and CD63),
thrombopoietin (TPO) were recorded and compared in two groups, then,
serial thrombopoietin levels and concomitant platelet counts were
measured in infants with BPD. Results: A total of 252 premature infants
were included in this study. 48 premature infants developed BPD, 48
premature infants in the control group who were matched with 1:1
according to gestational age, birth weight and admission diagnosis at
their age of postnatal day 28. Compared to the controls, infants with
BPD had significantly lower peripheral platelet count[BPD vs controls:
180.3 (24.2) x 109/L vs 345.6 (28.5) x 109/L, p=0.001], Circulating MK
count in the BPD group was significantly more abundant than that in the
control group [BPD vs controls: 30.7 (4.5) /mL vs 13.3 (2.6) /mL,
p=0.025], The level of CD62p, CD63 and TPO in BPD group were
significantly higher in control group [29.7 (3.1)% vs 14.5
(2.5)%,15.4(2.0)% vs 5.8(1.7)%,301.4 (25.9) pg /mL vs 120.4 (14.2)
pg/mL,all P < 0. 05],furthermore, the concentration of TPO
was negatively correlated with platelet count in BPD group with
thrombocytopenia. Conclusions: Thrombocytopenia and platelet activation
in premature infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia may be related to
lung microvascular endothelial cell injury. Thrombopoietin maybe the
major regulator in thrombocytopoiesis and platelet homeostasis of
infants with BPD.