The association between βeta 2-microglobulin and bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Abstract

Objective Previous studies showed that increased urinary Beta 2-microglobulin (β2-M) level is associated with fetal inflammatory response and successfully predict bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). We aimed to investigate the clinical utility of serum β2-M levels to predict BPD in preterm infants. Method Infants born between May and November 2018 and whose gestational age (GA) was <32 weeks were included into the study. During routine blood work in the first couple of hours of life an extra 0.5 mL blood was drawn to study β2-M levels later on. β2-M levels were compared between infants who developed BPD or not. Results Data analysis of 111 infants was performed. Out of 111 infants, 37 died before BPD diagnosis and out of the rest 74 infants, 38 (34.2%) were diagnosed with BPD. Mean GA was 28 ± 1.8 and 29.9 ± 1.4 weeks (p < 0.01) and mean birth weights (BW) were 1,086 ± 316 and 1,395 ± 348 g (p < 0.01) in BPD group and without BPD respectively. Demographic characteristics of the two groups were similar. While the white blood cell count, CRP and IL-6 levels were similar in both groups, β2-M levels were significantly higher in BPD group (4.84 ± 1.0 and 3.79 ± 0.95 mg/L, p = 0.01). Furthermore a weak correlation between β2-M level and BPD was observed (r = 0.23, p = 0.04). Conclusion Serum β2-M levels which obtained in the early postnatal life could predict developing BPD. Monitoring β2-M levels in infants who have high clinical risk factors for BPD development may provide additional benefit in predicting BPD.