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Race Effects of Inhaled Nitric Oxide in Preterm in
Race Effects of Inhaled Nitric Oxide in Preterm in
Race Effects of Inhaled Nitric Oxide in Preterm in
Objective To assess whether inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) improves survival without bronchopulmonary dysplasia
(BPD) for preterm African American infants.
Study design An individual participant data meta-analysis was conducted, including 3 randomized, placebo-
controlled trials that enrolled infants born at <34 weeks of gestation receiving respiratory support, had at least 15%
(or a minimum of 10 infants in each trial arm) of African American race, and used a starting iNO of >5 parts per
million with the intention to treat for 7 days minimum. The primary outcome was a composite of death or BPD.
Secondary outcomes included death before discharge, postnatal steroid use, gross pulmonary air leak, pulmonary
hemorrhage, measures of respiratory support, and duration of hospital stay.
Results Compared with other races, African American infants had a significant reduction in the composite outcome
of death or BPD with iNO treatment: 49% treated vs 63% controls (relative risk, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.65-0.91; P = .003;
interaction P = .016). There were no differences between racial groups for death. There was also a significant dif-
ference between races (interaction P = .023) of iNO treatment for BPD in survivors, with the greatest effect in African
American infants (P = .005). There was no difference between racial groups in the use of postnatal steroids, pul-
monary air leak, pulmonary hemorrhage, or other measures of respiratory support.
Conclusion iNO therapy should be considered for preterm African American infants at high risk for BPD. iNO to
prevent BPD in African Americans may represent an example of a racially customized therapy for infants. (J Pediatr
2018;193:34-9).
B
ronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm infants (<34 weeks of gestation) remains a highly significant and costly
cause of mortality and morbidity.1 Based on preclinical studies in a variety of animal models,2-8 there is evidence that
inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) may prevent some of the developmental changes leading to BPD. A number of clinical trials
of iNO to prevent BPD in preterm infants have been conducted, with varied results.9 Schreiber et al demonstrated improved
survival without BPD.10 In this trial, intubated infants were started on 10 parts per million (ppm) of iNO for 7 days and the
enrolled cohort was 70% African American. In the Nitric Oxide to prevent Chronic Lung Disease (NOCLD) trial, infants had
a higher exposure to iNO (starting at 20 ppm, tapered over 24 days) than in other trials.11 In addition, African American and
Hispanic infants had better survival without BPD than other races (P = .055 for interaction between race and treatment).
In 2011, the Meta-analysis of Preterm Patients on Inhaled Nitric Oxide (MAPPiNO) Collaboration was formed to further
explore the variation in outcomes from the various trials by undertaking an individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis of
12 trials meeting prespecified inclusion criteria.12 Some of the advantages of IPD meta-analysis over meta-analysis based on
aggregate data include improved uniformity in defining participant characteristics and outcome measures, including sub-
group definitions, the ability to adjust for the nonindependence of siblings within the dataset, and the opportunity to collect
information on longer term outcomes.13 The objectives of the MAPPiNO IPD meta-analysis were to determine whether iNO
treatment in preterm infants receiving assisted ventilation improved survival rates with less BPD, and whether the outcome of
trials differed according to participant- or intervention-related factors, including gestational age at birth, birth weight, multi-
plicity, race, postnatal age at the time of randomization, iNO dosage and duration of administration, as well as other comorbidities
of prematurity. In MAPPiNO, one of the prespecified subgroup analyses was a start-
ing iNO dose categorized as 5 ppm or less, or greater than 5 ppm, by trial design.
34
Volume 193 • February 2018
The effect of iNO treatment on the composite outcome of death available were included in the analyses, which were per-
or BPD in the higher starting dose group was significantly larger formed on an intention-to-treat basis.
than in the lower starting dose group (relative risk [RR], 0.83 For each of the outcomes, a 1-stage approach to analysis was
[95% CI, 0.74-0.95] vs RR, 1.00 [95% CI, 0.94-1.06], respec- undertaken so that the IPD from the eligible trials were in-
tively; P = .02 for interaction). The trials starting with an iNO cluded in a single model. This enabled the variation across trials
dose of greater than 5 ppm, all had an intention to treat infants to be accounted for within the model by including a fixed trial
for a minimum of 7 days providing a greater overall expo- effect. For binary outcomes, RRs and 95% CIs were obtained
sure to iNO for infants in those trials. A further prespecified using log-binomial regression models and for continuous vari-
subgroup analysis of the MAPPiNO IPD meta-analysis was the ables mean differences and 95% CIs between treatment groups
effect of race, which showed a trend toward greater treat- were obtained using linear regression models. A treatment-
ment effect in non-White infants compared with Whites, but by-trial interaction term was tested for each outcome to assess
which was not statistically significant.14 the heterogeneity of treatment effect across trials.17 Models as-
The 2010 National Institutes of Health Consensus Confer- sessing whether race is predictive of treatment benefit in-
ence on the use of iNO in the preterm infants15 concluded that, cluded a test for interaction between race and treatment and
although there was insufficient evidence to recommend the were adjusted for trial. Because multiple births occurred fre-
routine use of iNO to prevent CLD, “the positive results from quently (17%) in the eligible trials, correlation between out-
one multicenter trial,11 characterized by later timing, higher comes owing to multiple births was taken into account using
dose and longer duration require confirmation.” This recom- generalized estimating equations.18 The primary endpoint of
mendation, in addition to the publication of the MAPPiNO this IPD meta-analysis was a composite outcome of death or
results, led to an additional randomized trial assessing the effect BPD, defined as requiring respiratory support or supplemen-
of iNO in preterm infants, the NEWborns treated with inhaled tal oxygen at 36 weeks’ postmenstrual age. Schreiber also used
Nitric Oxide (NEWNO) trial,16 which used the longer, higher chest radiographs as part of the BPD definition, and both the
dose regimen, similar to the NOCLD trial. Although there was NOCLD and NEWNO trials used the oxygen reduction test
a baseline imbalance in enrollment by race (White 52% of iNO- to determine the need for supplemental oxygen. Secondary end-
treated infants vs 38% of controls) in this trial, there was a trend points included death before discharge, postnatal steroid use,
toward better survival without BPD in African American infants gross pulmonary air leak, pulmonary hemorrhage, measures
(45% in iNO group vs 35% in placebo group; P = .213) but of respiratory support, and duration of hospital stay. Sub-
not in Whites. To further analyze these observations from 3 group analyses for all endpoints were performed by race/
trials,10,11,16 and the MAPPINO analysis12 related to iNO dose ethnicity category (defined as either non-Hispanic African
and race, we performed an IPD meta-analysis, named the Race American race, non-Hispanic white race, Hispanic ethnicity,
and inhaled Nitric Oxide in Preterm Infants (RiNOP) study. other race, or unknown) to evaluate the effect of maternal self-
reported race on outcome. All statistical analyses were per-
formed in SAS 9.4 (SAS Institute, Cary, North Carolina) and
Methods were not adjusted for multiple testing.
CLD, Chronic lung disease; CPAP, continuous positive airway pressure; CXR, chest radiographs; RCT, randomized controlled trial; RDS, respiratory distress syndrome.
combined data. Table III (available at www.jpeds) provides a for these high-risk ventilated preterm infants. There was no
breakdown of baseline characteristics by race/ethnicity. difference in the response to iNO for infants entered into the
Figure 2 lists the main outcomes by race/ethnicity. Com- trials of White (P = .87), Hispanic (P = .14), or other mater-
pared with infants of other races, African American infants nal self-reported races/ethnicities (P = .21). There was no dif-
had a significant reduction in the composite outcome of death ference between racial groups for death at any time, death at
or BPD with iNO treatment: 49% in the iNO treated infants discharge, or death at 36 weeks. There was, however, a signifi-
compared with 63% in the control infants (RR, 0.77; 95% CI, cant difference between races (interaction P = .023) for the effect
0.65-0.91; P = .003), with an interaction P value of .016. In the of iNO treatment on the incidence of BPD in survivors, with
placebo group, there was no difference in death or BPD by race the greatest effect being seen in African American infants
(P = .005). There was no difference between racial groups in
use of postnatal steroids or for incidence of pulmonary air leak
Table II. Baseline characteristics by trial or race/ethnicity, or pulmonary hemorrhage (data not shown).
by treatment group Table IV presents outcomes for all infants by treatment using
an IPD meta-analysis of participants in the 3 trials of high iNO
Overall, n (%) or mean (SD)
exposure included in this study. Overall, the composite outcome
Characteristics iNO Placebo of death or BPD was reduced in infants treated with iNO (58%)
Male vs control infants (65%; RR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.82-0.98; P = .018).
Schreiber 63 (60%) 56 (55%) There was no difference in death at any time point between
NOCLD 155 (53%) 162 (56%)
NEWNO 115 (50%) 116 (52%) the 2 treatment groups. Meta-analyzed data from the 3 in-
Total 333 (53%) 334 (55%) cluded trials also showed a statistically significant reduction
Gestational age at birth (wk) in BPD for surviving infants treated with iNO (RR, 0.89; 95%
Schreiber 27.4 (2.5) 27.0 (2.8)
NOCLD 25.7 (1.4) 25.7 (1.5) CI, 0.80-0.98; P = .02). None of the prespecified continuous
NEWNO 25.6 (1.4) 25.6 (1.5) outcomes, including measures of respiratory support and hos-
Total 26.0 (1.8) 25.9 (1.9) pital stay, showed significant differences for iNO-treated com-
Birth weight (g)
Schreiber 1017 (369) 949 (387) pared with placebo infants, nor were there any differences by
NOCLD 766 (161) 759 (155) race (Tables V and VI; available at www.jpeds.com).
NEWNO 724 (160) 750 (163)
Total 792 (234) 787 (226)
Race
White, not Hispanic 308 (56%) 242 (44%)
Discussion
Hispanic 87 (45%) 105 (55%)
African American 202 (47%) 226 (53%) The results of this IPD meta-analysis revealed that there was
Other 31 (44%) 39 (56%) no respiratory benefit at 36 weeks’ postmenstrual age for infants
Total 628 (51%) 612 (49%)
whose maternal self-reported race was White, Hispanic, or
36 Askie et al
February 2018 ORIGINAL ARTICLES
classified as other and who were treated with iNO starting at number needed to treat of 7. Between racial groups there
a dose of greater than 5 ppm. However, treated African Ameri- were no imbalances in other factors that potentially influ-
can infants in the 3 trials included in this meta-analysis had enced the death or BPD outcome (Table III). We did not see
a statistically significant benefit from iNO treatment, with a a difference in duration of hospitalization or resource use in
LCL, Lower confidence limit; PMA, postmenstrual age; UCL, upper confidence limit.
*Model included adjustments for trial, treatment and a treatment-by-trial interaction term.
†Assessed in infants enrolled between 7 and 14 days.
‡There are 3 infants in the Schreiber trial whose date of death is after discharge and one infant whose date of death is unknown. For the NOCLD and NEWNO trials, there is no information for
infants who died after discharge.
Race Effects of Inhaled Nitric Oxide in Preterm Infants: An Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis 37
THE JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS • www.jpeds.com Volume 193
the meta-analysis, although there was a significant decrease substantial proportion of African ancestry, which may also
noted in the NOCLD trial.19 Of note, African American race convey iNO responsiveness.33
was not associated with fewer deaths or less BPD in the placebo Another limitation of this study is the lack of longer term
group, indicating a similar risk for untreated infants, regard- outcome data to analyze via IPD meta- analysis at 40 weeks’
less of race. Thus, the apparent benefit of iNO for all infants postmenstrual age or later in infancy. Although both the Sch-
in these trials is largely derived from a significant treatment reiber and NOCLD trials reported improved longer term
response in African American infants. outcomes,34,35 there was no difference in either pulmonary or
There are a number of reported observations supporting neurodevelopmental outcomes in treated vs control infants in
racial disparity in the production, metabolism, and/or func- the NEWNO study.16 It is well-known that many other envi-
tion of Nitric Oxide (NO). Black or Asian maternal race com- ronmental and social factors influence the long-term outcome
pared with white race is associated independently with persistent in these high-risk infants. A multicenter randomized trial
pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, a disease that is likely targeting this population would provide further valuable
related to endogenous NO signaling and that is responsive to information.
iNO therapy.20 Several studies indicate reduced bioavailability Our IPD meta-analysis of 3 randomized, controlled trials
of NO in African Americans compared with Whites, likely in of iNO supports further investigation of genetic ancestry and
part due to increased oxidation of NO. In laboratory studies, the potential contribution of genetic variants related to NO
release of NO from umbilical venous endothelial cells has been and biological pathways leading to BPD. Because iNO is safe
shown to be substantially less for African Americans com- and well-tolerated by infants, and may reduce later respira-
pared with White infants.21,22 Levels of urinary NO metabo- tory morbidity34 as well as BPD/death with a number needed
lites are higher in self-reported White compared with African to treat of 7, we suggest that iNO therapy should be consid-
American and Hispanic premature infants, both with and ered for preterm African American infants at high risk for BPD.
without iNO treatment, perhaps reflecting differences in NO There was also a 9 percentage point reduction in the rate of
metabolism and, thus, bioavailability.23 In adults, African Ameri- BPD in survivors (46% iNO vs 55% placebo) in Hispanic
cans have increased frequency of hypertension and cardiovas- infants (many of whom have some African ancestry)31 that, al-
cular disease, and a NO-targeted medication (hydralazine though not statistically significant, may provide rationale for
hydrochloride and isosorbide dinitrate) is an indicated therapy also considering therapy in this population. We conclude that
for heart failure specifically in African Americans.23-25 It is likely iNO to prevent BPD in African Americans represents an
that these racial differences in NO bioavailability and re- example of a racially customized therapy for infants. ■
sponse are due to genetic variation in key genes on NO path-
ways, and both racial and ethnic differences exist for allele Submitted for publication May 31, 2017; last revision received Aug 12, 2017;
frequency of single nucleotide polymorphisms in many related accepted Oct 6, 2017
38 Askie et al
February 2018 ORIGINAL ARTICLES
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Race Effects of Inhaled Nitric Oxide in Preterm Infants: An Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis 39
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Race Effects of Inhaled Nitric Oxide in Preterm Infants: An Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis 39.e2