The association between beta eta 2-microglobulin and bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Objective: Previous studies showed that increased urinary Beta 2-microglobulin (132-M) level is associated with fetal inflammatory response and successfully predict broncho-pulmonary dysplasia (BPD). We aimed to investigate the clinical utility of serum 132-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 132-M levels later on. 132-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, 132-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 132-M level and BPD was observed (r = 0.23, p = 0.04).Conclusion: Serum 132-M levels which obtained in the early postnatal life could predict developing BPD. Monitoring 132-M levels in infants who have high clinical risk factors for BPD development may provide additional benefit in predicting BPD.