title: Future applications of antioxidants in premature infants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This review will examine the unique susceptibility of premature infants to oxidative stress, the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the pathogenesis of common disorders of the preterm infant, and potential for therapeutic interventions using enzymatic and/or nonenzymatic antioxidants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Oxidative stress is caused by an imbalance between the production of ROS and the ability to detoxify them with the help of antioxidants. The premature infant is especially susceptible to ROS-induced damage because of inadequate antioxidant stores at birth, as well as impaired upregulation in response to oxidant stress. Thus, the premature infant is at increased risk for the development of ROS-induced diseases of the newborn, such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity, necrotizing enterocolitis, and periventricular leukomalacia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Potential therapies for ROS-induced disease include both enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant preparations. More research is required to determine the beneficial effects of supplemental antioxidant therapy.
authors.affiliation: The Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jonathan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Davis
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000378:metabolism; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species