The results of this study showed that the levels of SBDP145, sLOX-1, HMGB1 and HIF-1α in the group of preterm infants with brain injury were higher than that of premature newborns without brain injury, and the level of melatonin was lower than that in the premature infant group (P < 0.05). Here, HMGB1 is linked to brain injury.