59 NF-Kappa B Activation and Apoptosis in Lung Neutrophils from Infants with Hyaline Membrane Disease

Background: Sequestration and the persistence of neutrophils in the lungs of infants with hyaline membrane disease (HMD) have been associated with pulmonary injury and the subsequent development of chronic lung disease (CLD). While activation of the transcription factor, NF-kappa B, in these cells could upregulate the expression of various mediators that enhance the pulmonary inflammatory process, apoptosis of neutrophils may promote the resolution of lung inflammation. We aimed to determine the proportion of tracheal aspirate samples from infants with HMD that had neutrophils showing evidence of NF-kappa B activation and/or apoptosis.