Objective: To evaluate the longitudinal changes of IL-1α, IL-1β, and IL-1Ra in extremely preterm infants and investigate the dynamic association with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).

Methods: Plasma samples were collected from extremely preterm infants at postnatal day (PD) 7,28 and PMA 36 weeks. IL-1 cytokines concentrations were measured by Bio-Plex Pro (human cytokine panel). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were conducted to explore the association between the cytokines and BPD.

Results: BPD infants exhibited significantly higher concentrations of IL-1α (10.75 vs. 8.18 pg/ml, p = 0.026), IL-1β (2.00 vs. 1.50 pg/ml, p = 0.046), and IL-1Ra (878.50 vs. 262.40 pg/ml, p = 0.011) compared to non-BPD infants at PD 28. Higher IL-1α concentration (≥8.09 pg/ml) at PD 28 was independently associated with BPD development (OR: 8.272, 95% CI: 1.127-60.705, p = 0.038).

Conclusions: Increased IL-1α concentrations at PD 28 were independently associated with an increased risk of BPD.