Early life events, sex, and arterial blood pressure in critically ill infants

OBJECTIVE To determine whether photo-protecting total parenteral nutrition in preterm infants influences arterial blood pressure differently according to gender. Blood pressure is influenced by complex mechanisms of vasomodulation. Oxidants are mediators and effectors in such reactions. Shielding total parenteral nutrition from light contributes to decrease the generation of peroxides. Girls may be better protected against an oxidant load than boys. We questioned whether shielding total parenteral nutrition may have cardiovascular effects that are influenced by gender. DESIGN A post hoc subgroup analysis of the effect of shielding parenteral nutrition from light. SETTING Neonatal intensive care unit. SUBJECTS Preterm infants