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.