Inhaled Nitric Oxide: Effects on Cerebral Growth and Injury in a Baboon Model of Premature Delivery

Abstract

Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) enhances ventilation in very preterm infants, but the effects on the brain remain uncertain. We evaluated the impact of iNO on brain growth and cerebral injury in a premature baboon model. Baboons were delivered at 125 d of gestation (term 185 d of gestation) and ventilated for 14 d with either positive pressure ventilation (PPV) (n= 7) or PPV iNO (n= 8). Brains were assessed histologically for parameters of development and injury. Compared with gestational controls (n= 7), brain and body weights were reduced but brain-to-body weight ratios were increased in all prematurely delivered (PD) animals; the surface folding index (SFI), was reduced in PPV but not PPV iNO ..