Objective To observe the effect of assisted reproductive technology (ART) on retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in preterm infants. MethodsA retrospective clinical study. From January 2016 to January 2020, 639 preterm infants who were hospitalized at Children's Hospital of Zhengzhou University and underwent fundus screening at a gestational age ≤32 weeks were included in the study. There were 366 males and 273 females. Gestational age at birth were (28.3±1.4) weeks; birth weight were (1 153.8±228.8) g. Severe ROP was detected in 60 cases (9.4%, 60/639); 120 were ART recipients, and 519 were naturally conceived, and were divided into the ART group and the control group accordingly. The incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (χ2=21.675), pulmonary surfactant application (χ2=13.558), and twin births (yes) (χ2=145.568) in mothers of the children examined in both groups were significantly higher than that of the control group, and the difference were statistically significant in all cases (P＜0.001). Comparison of quantitative data between groups was performed by t-test, and comparison of count data was performed by χ2 test; logistic regression was used to analyze the effect of ART on the incidence of ROP. ResultsOf the 60 cases of severe ROP, 18 (15.0%, 18/120) and 42 (8.1%, 42/519) cases were in the ART group and control group, respectively. The incidence of severe ROP was significantly higher in the ART group than in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=4.680, P=0.024). Compared with the control group, the incidence of severe ROP was significantly higher in the ART group for gestational age at birth ＜28 weeks and birth weight ＜1 000 g, and the differences were statistically significant (χ2=10.116, 3.785; P=0.002, 0.037). Logistic regression analysis showed that ART was a non-independent risk factor for the occurrence of ROP (P＞0.05). ConclusionAssisted reproductive technology may have a certain influence on the occurrence of ROP, which is not an independent factor.
ObjectiveTo observe and analyze thyroxine levels in children with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and its effect on severe ROP. MethodsA retrospective clinical study. From January 2022 to December 2023, a total of 64 premature infants with severe ROP (ROP group), hospitalized in the Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University and with a gestational age ≤32 weeks, were included. According to a 1:2 ratio, 128 premature infants without ROP, matched for sex and gestational age, were selected as the control group. Thyroid function tests were performed 7 to 14 d after birth. The levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone, triiodothyronine, free triiodothyronine, thyroxine (T4), and free T4 (FT4) were compared and observed between the two groups. The quantitative data between groups were compared by independent samples t-test or Mann-Whitney U test; the count data were compared by χ2 test. Logistic regression was used to analyze the correlation between various variables and the occurrence of severe ROP. The predictive efficacy of the differential indicators was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. ResultsCompared with the control group, T4 and FT4 levels were significantly lower in children in the ROP group, and the difference was statistically significant (t=2.572, 2.704; P=0.011, 0.008). The results of univariate logistic regression analysis showed that the Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes, as well as sepsis, T4, FT4, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), were significantly associated with the occurrence of severe ROP (P＜0.05). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that FT4 and BPD are independent risk factors for the occurrence of severe ROP (P＜0.05). The ROC curve analysis revealed that T4 had a sensitivity of 80.9% and specificity of 43.3%, while FT4 showed a sensitivity of 46.8% and specificity of 75.0%, with abnormal cutoff values set at 98.4 nmol/L for T4 and 15.65 pmol/L for FT4. ConclusionsThe T4 and FT4 level of children with severe ROP are lower than that of children without ROP in the early postnatal period. The T4 and FT4 level in the early postnatal period may have a certain correlation with the occurrence of severe ROP.
【摘要】 目的 探讨早产儿视网膜病变（retinopathy of prematurity，ROP）的发生率及危险因素。 方法 收集2007年12月-2008年12月在四川省人民医院、成都市妇幼保健院、成都市妇产科医院住院的85例体重≤2 000 g或有严重疾病的早产儿,自出生后4~6周或矫正胎龄32周开始筛查，至周边视网膜血管化。 结果 85例早产儿中，有9例发生ROP，发病率10.58%。其中出生体重lt;1 500 g的早产儿ROP发病率为17.07%，孕周lt;30周的早产儿ROP发病率为40%。 结论 低体重、胎龄小、吸氧为早产儿发生ROP的重要危险因素；尽早进行眼底筛查是早期发现、诊断及治疗ROP的关键。【Abstract】 Objective To investigate the occurrence and risk factors of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Methods A total of 85 premature infants were enrolled from Sichuan provincial people′s hospital, Chengdu maternal and child health hospital, and Chengdu obstetric and gynecology hospital. The infants were born between December 2007 and December 2008, with a birth weight less than 2 000 g. The ocular funds examination was carried out four to six weeks after the birth or at the 32nd week of the corrected gestational age;the infants were followed up until the retina was entirely vascularized. Results ROP was found in 9 of the 85 premature infants, with a percentage of 10.58%. About 17.07% premature infants with a birth weight less than 1500 g and 40% infants with a gestational age shorter than 30 weeks had ROP. Conclusions A lower birth weight, a shorter gestational age and oxygen usage are the risk factors of ROP. It′s important to examine the ocular fundus in premature infants as early as possible so as to identify, diagnose and treat ROP at an early stage.
ObjectiveTo observe and analyze the correlation between erythrocyte count and hemoglobin level in early life and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). MethodsA clinical retrospective study. From January 2020 to December 2022, a total of 303 premature infants, who underwent fundus screening in Children's Hospital of Henan Province were included. There were 219 males and 84 females, with the average gestational age of (30.36±1.52) weeks and the average birth weight of (1 368.43±171.37) g. Early life was defined as 14 days after birth. According to the screening results, patients were divided into ROP group and no ROP group (control group). The results of red blood cell count, hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration of the two groups were compared and observed on the 3rd, 7th and 14th day after birth. The measurement data were compared by t-test, and the count data were compared by χ2 test. The risk factors of ROP were analyzed by logistic regression. The correlation between red blood cell count as well as hemoglobin concentration in early life and ROP was analyzed by receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve. ResultsAmong the 303 premature infants screened, a total of 101 preterm infants were included in the ROP group, with the average gestational age of (30.39±1.48) weeks. And a total of 202 preterm infants were included in the control group, with the average gestational age of (30.35±1.55) weeks. There was no significant difference between the two groups in sex composition ratio (χ2=0.296) and gestational age (t=0.251) (P＞0.05). There were significant differences in birth weight (t=－2.024), blood transfusion times (U=－4.957), invasive mechanical ventilation duration (U=－2.215) and continuous positive airway pressure ventilation time (U=－5.224) between the two groups (P＜0.05). The incidence of periventricular leukomalacia (χ2=5.069), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (χ2=9.794) and sepsis (χ2=8.041) were significantly different (P＜0.05). The average hemoglobin level of patients in the ROP group on the 3rd, 7th and 14th day after birth were lower than those in the control group (t=－3.813, －2.753, －2.847; P＜0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that low frequency of blood transfusion [odds ratio (OR)=1.241, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.016-1.517] and short duration of continuous positive airway pressure (OR=1.128, 95%CI 1.031-1.234) were protective factors for ROP. The ROC curve analysis indicated that the abnormal threshold values of hematocrit and hemoglobin were the highest on the 14th day after birth, which were 115.5 g/L and 36.25% respectively. The sensitivities were 88.1% and 83.2%, respectively. ConclusionRed blood cell count and hemoglobin level in early life of preterm infants may have a certain correlation with the occurrence and development of ROP.
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical characteristics and therapeutic effect of reactivation of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) patients after intravitreal injection of ranibizumab (IVR). MethodsA retrospective case series study. Eleven children with ROP (21 eyes) who were reactivated after IVR in Shenzhen Eye Hospital from January 2019 to October 2021 were included in the study. Among them, there were 6 males (11 eyes) and 5 females (10 eyes), with the gestational age of (27.6±2.2) weeks and birth weight of (1 034.6±306.5) g. At the first IVR treatment, 14 eyes (63.7%, 14/22) had acute ROP (AROP), 8 eyes (36.3%, 8/22) had threshold lesions. Post-reactivation treatments include IVR, retinal laser photocoagulation (LP), or minimally invasive vitrectomy (MIVS). The follow-up time after treatment was 12 to 18 months. Birth gestational age, birth weight, treatment method, corrected gestational age at treatment, lesion stage before and after treatment, lesion reactivation and regression time were recorded. The clinical characteristics and efficacy were observed and analyzed. ResultsThe time from initial IVR treatment to reactivation was (8.2±3.5) weeks. The corrected gestational age of the child was (43.62±4.08) weeks. In 21 eyes, AROP, threshold lesion, pre-threshold lesion, and stage 4 lesion were in 2, 4, 12, and 3 eyes, respectively. The patients were treated with IVR, LP, IVR+LP, IVR+MIVS in 2, 13, 4 and 2 eyes, respectively. After the first reactivation treatment, the time of regression and stability was (8.4±4.9) weeks after treatment. There were 5 eyes with secondary reactivation of the lesion, and the lesion stages were stage 3, stage 4a and stage 5 in 2, 1 and 2 eyes, respectively. The mean reactivation time was (19.3±6.0) weeks after the last treatment. The patients in stage 3, stage 4a and stage 5 were treated with LP, LP+MIVS and IVR, respecitively, and the lesions subsided steadily during follow-up. At the last follow-up, 19 out of 21 eyes showed complete regression of the lesions, stable photocoagulation, regression of crista-like lesions, no additional lesions, and retinal leveling. All retinal detachment was "funnel-shaped" in 2 eyes. ConclusionsThe lesion reactivation of AROP after IVR treatment is more common. The early reactivation rate is higher after treatment. There is a possibility of reactivation twice after re-treatment.
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) are common and critically important diseases of preterm infants. The common feature of both conditions is altered angiogenesis and pathological changes in the case of incomplete organ development. The interaction of multiple factors leads to abnormal angiogenesis, which not only increases the possibility of comorbidity of BPO and ROP, but also reveals the potential co-pathogenesis between the two. However, the specific mechanism of this angiogenic balance in the occurrence and development of BPD or ROP is still unclear, and there are no animal models to explore the pathogenesis of both diseases. At present, effective prevention measures for BPO and ROP are still lacking, and treatment methods mainly rely on drug therapy and surgery. In the future, more studies should be conducted to find common therapeutic targets for factors affecting angiogenesis, so as to provide better treatment options for BPD and ROP and improve the effectiveness of treatment.
Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) is a blinding eye disease characterized by abnormal retinal vascular proliferation and is a major cause of visual impairment in children. Its pathogenesis is complex, involving multiple factors such as hyperoxia exposure, hypoxic compensation, oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and abnormal angiogenesis, with oxidative stress playing a central role. It is characterized by excessive production of reactive oxygen species and impaired antioxidant function, leading to retinal vascular endothelial cell damage, formation of avascular areas, and abnormal vascular proliferation. Studies have shown that oxidative stress can promote the development and progression of ROP through vascular damage, nitrooxidative stress synergy, and interference with cellular metabolism. Current treatment strategies mainly include antioxidant agents (such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and lutein), signal pathway regulatory agents (such as nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 activators, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 inhibitors), corticosteroids (such as Triamcinolone and Dexamethasone), and adrenergic receptor antagonists (such as Propranolol), but their efficacy and safety still require further validation. In the future, multidisciplinary collaboration should be strengthened to further explore the interactions between oxidative stress and other pathological mechanisms, and long-term follow-up studies should be conducted to develop safer and more effective strategies for the prevention and treatment of ROP, thereby improving the visual outcomes of preterm infants.
ObjectiveTo analyze independent factors for treatment-requiring retinopathy of prematurity (TR-ROP) and establish a predictive nomogram model for TR-ROP. MethodA retrospective cohort study. A total of 6 998 preterm infants who were born at Guangdong Women's and Children's Hospital between January 1, 2012 and March 31, 2022 and were screened for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) were included in the study. TR-ROP was defined as type 1 ROP and aggressive ROP; 22 independent factors including general information, maternal perinatal conditions, interventions and neonatal diseases related to ROP were collected. The infants were divided at the level at an 8:2 ratio according to clinical experience, with 5 598 in the training cohort and 1 400 in the validation cohort. t test was used for comparison of quantitative data and χ2 test was used for comparison of counting data between groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out for the indicators with differences in the univariate analysis. The visualized regression analysis results of R software were used to obtain the histogram. The accuracy of the nomogram was verified by C-index and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve). ResultsAmong the 6 998 children tested, 4 069 were males and 2 920 were females. Gestational age was (33.69±3.19) weeks; birth weight was (2 090±660) g. There were 376 cases of TR-ROP (5.4%, 376/6 998). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that gestational age [odds ratio (OR) =0.63, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.47-0.85, P=0.002], intrauterine distress (OR=0.30, 95%CI 0.10-0.99, P=0.048), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (OR=0.23, 95%CI 0.09-0.60, P=0.003), hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (OR=5.40, 95%CI 1.45-20.10, P=0.012), blood transfusion history (OR=4.05, 95%CI 1.50-10.95, P=0.006) were the independent influencing factors of TR-ROP. Based on this and combined with birth weight, a nomogram prediction model was established. The C-index of the training set and validation set were 0.940 and 0.885, respectively, and the area under ROC curve were 0.945 (95%CI 0.930-0.961) and 0.931 (95%CI 0.876-0.986), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity were 86.2%, 94.0% and 83.2%, 93.3%, respectively. ConclusionsGestational age, intrauterine distress, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and blood transfusion history are the independent factors influencing the occurrence of TR-ROP. The TR-ROP nomogram prediction model based on independent influencing factors has high sensitivity and specificity.