Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Preterm Infants with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Abstract

ECFCs are low at extremely low gestational ages and increase during gestation; extremely preterm infants who display lower numbers at birth have an increased risk of developing BPD. Our findings suggest that decreased ECFCs following extremely preterm birth may be associated with the risk for developing lung vascular immaturity characteristic of new BPD.