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IGF-I and visfatin levels in retinopathy of prematurity
Ferhat Cekmez1, Fuat Emre Canpolat, Merih Çetinkaya
1Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey. ferhat_cocuk@hotmail.com
Insights
Visfatin levels in preterm infants may predict retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), similar to insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). Higher visfatin and IGF-I levels were observed in infants without ROP, suggesting a potential biomarker role.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal research
- Endocrinology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a significant cause of visual impairment in preterm infants.
- Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) plays a crucial role in ROP development.
- Visfatin, an adipokine, has emerged as a potential biomarker in various neonatal conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between circulating visfatin concentrations and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels in preterm infants.
- To determine if visfatin levels can serve as a predictive marker for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 88 preterm infants (gestational age < 32 weeks) born between 2007-2009 were studied.
- Fetal cord blood and postnatal blood samples (4-6 weeks) were collected for laboratory analysis.
- Visfatin, insulin, and IGF-I levels were measured in both sample types.
Main Results:
- Infants without ROP exhibited significantly higher levels of visfatin, insulin, and IGF-I in both sample types compared to the ROP group (P < .001).
- Positive correlations were found between changes in visfatin and IGF-I levels (P < .001).
- Changes in IGF-I levels were also positively correlated with changes in insulin levels (P < .001).
Conclusions:
- Circulating visfatin levels, akin to IGF-I, may hold predictive value for retinopathy of prematurity in preterm infants.
- Further research is warranted to validate visfatin as a reliable biomarker for ROP prediction and management.
Purpose:
The authors hypothesized that circulating visfatin concentrations in preterm infants might be linked with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)-like insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels.
Methods:
The study group comprised 88 children born with a gestational age younger than 32 weeks between 2007 and 2009 who were screened and/or treated for ROP. The authors collected fetal cord blood (sample 1) and a blood sample at 4 to 6 weeks postnatal age (sample 2) for laboratory investigations.
Results:
The non-ROP group had higher visfatin-1, visfatin-2, insulin-1, insulin-2, (IGF-I)-1, and (IGF-I)-2 levels than the ROP group (P < .001 for all levels). Change in visfatin was positively correlated with change in IGF-I and change in insulin (P < .001 and P < .001, respectively). Change in IGF-I was positively correlated with change in insulin (P < .001).
Conclusion:
Similar to IGF-I levels, determination of visfatin levels can be a predictive marker of ROP, but more studies are needed.
