RNA-seq was carried out on cord blood RNA, and DESeq2 analysis adjustment for nine covariates (GA, BW, sex, and six cell-type percentages of CD4 + T, CD8 + T, B cell, granulocyte, monocyte, and NRBC) determined DEGs in BPD infants (471 genes at p < 0.01; 1685 genes at p < 0.05) (Table 2; Additional file 1: Table S3; Additional file 2: Fig. S2A). This evidence concerns the gene CD4 and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.