Russian scientists are developing a diagnostic panel for premature infants. This refers to children weighing from 500g to 1.5kg. The new technology should help doctors understand from the first day of life which babies are at high risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and bone tissue disorders, which can lead to fractures. The development is being carried out by scientists from the Siberian State Medical University.
According to the university's press service, almost 70% of such children experience bronchopulmonary dysplasia and bone tissue disorders. This can lead to spontaneous fractures of limbs and ribs in infants.
The new method will help doctors understand what substances and in what quantities are present in the child's body on the first day of life. Based on this data, the system should predict the risk of complications in advance, rather than waiting until the problem has already appeared.
This will help doctors quickly choose a treatment strategy: who needs sufficient observation, who needs frequent monitoring, and for whom therapy should be adjusted immediately.
Viktor Zhelev, Dean of the Pediatric Faculty of SibGMU, Head of the Department of Hospital Pediatrics, explained that this approach will allow premature infants with extremely low body weight to be divided into risk groups from the first day of life.
The new approach involves a comprehensive analysis. Scientists will look at standard biochemical parameters, metabolomic profile, genetic markers of bone tissue formation, and features of the hormonal background.
In premature infants at 22–28 weeks, thyroid hormones work differently, and metabolism proceeds differently, especially if the child receives nutrition intravenously rather than through the gastrointestinal tract.