Increased soluble ICAM-1 in tracheal aspirates of infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Raised concentrations of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (slCAM-1) in tracheal aspirates from premature infants may predict development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). We measured slCAM-1 in tracheal aspirates and serum samples from 15 newborn babies (9 with BPD, 6 without BPD) at 2–4, 6–7, and 12–14 days of age. sICAM-1 concentrations in tracheal aspirates were significantly raised at 6–7 and 12–14 days of age in infants who later developed BPD compared with infants who did not develop BPD. Serumssamples from the two groups did not differ significantly in slCAM-1. Raised slCAM-1 in tracheal aspirate was a good predictor of lung injury in infants who later developed BPD. Lancet 1993; 342: 1023–24