MicroRNA profiles in preterm children with regard to BPD and echocardiographic findings

The study examined the relationship between microRNA profiles in peripheral blood leukocytes and the occurrence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in 152 prematurely born children with birth weight less than 1,500 grams or gestational age less than 32 weeks. The median age of children was 5.42 years, with 46 children diagnosed with BPD and 106 without BPD. Results were compared with 92 healthy term-born children. The findings showed a higher incidence of abnormal echocardiographic findings in prematurely born children regardless of BPD presence compared to the control group. Alterations in 20 microRNAs were detected in preterm children (17 upregulated, 3 downregulated). The microRNA miR-199a-5p differentiated between children with and without BPD. No significant differences were found between echocardiographic findings and microRNA expression. The results emphasize the importance of long-term follow-up in prematurely born children.