Epidermal Growth Factor As a Predictor of Biological Maturity of the Newborn

Abstract

The present study was designed to evaluate the role of epidermal growth factor in the biological maturity of the newborn infant, correlate its level to the clinical respiratory outcome, and assess its response to dexamethasone therapy.

The study comprised 52 newborn infants with different gestational ages, selected from the NICU and the general nursery of the "Pediatrics" and "Gynecology & Obstetrics" Ain Shams University hospitals. There were chosen as follows:

Group I comprised 22 term newborns (10 healthy, mean GA 38.60 ± 0.7 wks; 12 mechanically ventilated, mean GA 38.83 ± 1.0 wks). Group II comprised 20 preterm newborns, mechanically ventilated (12 were diagnosed with respiratory distress syndrome, mean GA 31.5 ± 1.7wks and 8 without RDS, mean GA 34.0 ± 1.3 wks).