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Identification of clinical factors associated with timing and duration of spontaneous regression of retinopathy of prematurity not requiring treatment

Journal of Perinatology (2023)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective

Identify clinical factors that delay or prolong spontaneous regression of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

Study design

Secondary analysis of three prospective studies with 76 infants with ROP not requiring treatment, born ≤30 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) and ≤1500 grams. Outcomes were PMA at greatest severity of ROP (PMA MSROP), at which regression began, at time of complete vascularization (PMA CV), and regression duration. Pearson’s correlation coefficients, t-tests, or analyses of variance were calculated.

Results

Increased positive bacterial cultures, hyperglycemia, transfusion volume of platelets and red blood cells and severity of ROP were associated with later PMA MSROP. Positive bacterial cultures, maternal chorioamnionitis, and less iron deficiency were associated with later PMA CV and prolonged regression duration. Slower length gain was associated with later PMA CV. P < 0.05 for all.

Conclusions

Preterm infants with inflammatory exposures or linear growth impairment may require longer surveillance for ROP resolution and complete vascularization.

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Fig. 1: Research subject flow diagram.

Data availability

The dataset generated during this study is available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Funding

The Clinical and Translational Science Institute2 at the University of MN is supported by the National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, grant UL1TR002494 (author SL).

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Author notes

  1. These authors contributed equally: Jamee Schoephoerster, Sydney Roston.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    Jamee Schoephoerster & Sydney Roston

  2. Biostatistical Design and Analysis Center, Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    Scott Lunos

  3. Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    Sara E. Ramel, Michael K. Georgieff & Ellen C. Ingolfsland

  4. Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    Jill Anderson

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Contributions

JS and SR performed the investigation, contributed to the data analysis, and wrote the initial draft. SL designed the methodology, performed the formal data analysis, and edited the final manuscript. SR conceptualized the study, performed the investigation, provided resources and supervision, and edited the final manuscript. MG conceptualized the study, provided supervision, and edited the final manuscript. JA conceptualized the study and defined the methodology, provided supervision, and wrote and edited the manuscript. EI conceptualized the study, developed the methodology, curated the data, provided supervision, and drafted and edited the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ellen C. Ingolfsland.

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Competing interests

This sponsor had no role in the study design, data collection, analysis, or interpretation, writing of the report, or decision to submit for publication. There are no other competing financial interests in relation to the work described.

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Schoephoerster, J., Roston, S., Lunos, S. et al. Identification of clinical factors associated with timing and duration of spontaneous regression of retinopathy of prematurity not requiring treatment. J Perinatol (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-023-01649-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-023-01649-w

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