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Nutrition, insulin-like growth factor-1 and retinopathy of prematurity

Anna-Lena Hård1, Lois E Smith2, Ann Hellström1

  • 1Section of Pediatric Ophthalmology, The Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, S-416 85 Göteborg, Sweden.

Seminars in Fetal & Neonatal Medicine
|February 23, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Preventing retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is crucial. Poor neonatal growth after preterm birth increases ROP risk, highlighting the need for better nutrition and growth strategies to protect infant vision.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Ophthalmology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a leading cause of infant blindness, characterized by abnormal retinal vascular development.
  • Current treatments address late-stage ROP, emphasizing the need for preventative strategies.
  • Poor overall growth in preterm infants is a significant risk factor for developing ROP.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review essential factors for neonatal growth.
  • To explore strategies for improving growth and preventing ROP.
  • To bridge findings from animal studies to human infant applications.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on neonatal growth factors and ROP.
  • Analysis of maternal-fetal interactions and their impact on development.
  • Synthesis of evidence on nutrition, IGF-1, and omega-3 fatty acids in retinal vascularization.

Main Results:

  • Impaired retinal vessel growth in neonates can lead to ROP.
  • Loss of maternal-fetal exchange affects nutrient and factor delivery crucial for development.
  • Animal studies demonstrate the importance of nutrition, IGF-1, and ω-3 fatty acids for retinal vascularization.

Conclusions:

  • Optimizing neonatal growth is key to preventing ROP.
  • Understanding and supplementing essential factors lost in preterm birth may prevent this blinding condition.
  • Further research into nutritional and growth-promoting strategies can improve outcomes for preterm infants.

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