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Hypertension in neonates treated with intravitreal bevacizumab for retinopathy of prematurity

Journal of Perinatology volume 41, pages 1426–1431 (2021)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective

To investigate if preterm neonates developed systemic hypertension after intravitreal bevacizumab for retinopathy of prematurity.

Methods

Patients who received treatment between January 1, 2011 and January 31, 2019 were eligible for inclusion. Patients with pre-existing hypertension, congenital eye disease, or who were discharged within 72 h of treatment were excluded. Charts were reviewed for baseline data, co-morbidities, and the development of systemic hypertension within 4 weeks post treatment.

Results

After exclusions, 64 patients were analyzed. New-onset systemic hypertension was identified in 44 (69%) infants. There were no statistical differences in the demographic characteristics or presence of co-morbidities between the hypertensive and non-hypertensive groups. Of those who developed hypertension, the majority presented within the first week post treatment (55%).

Conclusions

The majority of infants who received intravitreal bevacizumab developed new-onset systemic hypertension after treatment. Further studies may explore hypertension as a potential side effect of bevacizumab in the neonatal population.

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Author contributions

GT conceptualized and designed the study, collected data, carried out the initial data analyses, drafted the initial manuscript, and reviewed and revised the manuscript. MEM conceptualized and designed the study, assisted in data analysis, and reviewed and revised the manuscript. MW, CB, and KO’M critically reviewed and revised the manuscript for important intellectual content. All authors approved the final manuscript as submitted and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fl, USA

    Grace Twitty, Michael Weiss, Catalina Bazacliu & Meredith E. Mowitz

  2. Department of Pharmacy, WakeMed, Raleigh, NC, USA

    Keliana O’Mara

Authors
  1. Grace Twitty
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Correspondence to Grace Twitty.

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Twitty, G., Weiss, M., Bazacliu, C. et al. Hypertension in neonates treated with intravitreal bevacizumab for retinopathy of prematurity. J Perinatol 41, 1426–1431 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-021-01021-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-021-01021-w

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