Inhaled nitrogen dioxide formation

In animal and in vitro studies, inhaled nitric oxide has led to surfactant inactivation and promotion of oxidative and nitrosylative lung injury (2). These effects have not been reported during clinical use of inhaled nitric oxide at concentrations less than 80 ppm. In a review of two articles it was noted that nitric oxide does not increase the risk of chronic lung disease of the newborn, despite speculation that it may increase chronic lung disease of prematurity due to the formation of nitrogen dioxide and peroxynitrite, in addition to membrane lipid peroxidation and increased unbound plasma iron in preterm infants (7). 

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