Postnatal weight gain in the first two weeks as a predicting factor of severe retinopathy of prematurity requiring treatment
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Published on: April 2, 2021
Jongmoon Kim1, Jang Yong Jin1, Sung Shin Kim1
1Department of Pediatrics, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon, Korea.
Insights
Poor weight gain in the first two weeks of life is a key predictor for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) requiring treatment in premature infants. This finding highlights early postnatal weight monitoring for severe ROP risk assessment.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a significant cause of visual impairment in premature infants.
- Early identification of risk factors for severe ROP is crucial for timely intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate relative weight gain in the first six weeks post-birth as a predictor for ROP requiring treatment in very low birth weight infants.
- To establish the predictive value of early postnatal weight gain for severe ROP development.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 211 preterm infants (birth weight <1,500 g, gestational age <32 weeks).
- Daily body weight measurements recorded, with relative weight gains calculated at 2, 4, and 6 weeks.
- Logistic regression analysis to determine the association between weight gain and ROP requiring treatment.
Main Results:
- Infants who developed ROP requiring treatment had significantly lower relative weight gain at 2, 4, and 6 weeks compared to controls.
- Poor relative weight gain within the first two weeks was an independent risk factor for ROP requiring treatment (aOR=0.809, P=0.006).
- Weight gain at 2 weeks was significantly lower in infants with ROP requiring treatment versus those without.
Conclusions:
- Suboptimal postnatal weight gain during the initial two weeks is a critical, independent risk factor for developing ROP that necessitates treatment.
- Monitoring early postnatal weight gain can effectively predict the likelihood of severe ROP in very low birth weight infants.
Purpose:
This study aimed to investigate the relative weight gain at 2-week intervals up to 6 weeks after birth to predict retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) requiring treatment among very low birth weight infants.
Methods:
A total of 211 preterm infants with birth weights <1,500 g and gestational age <32 weeks were retrospectively reviewed. The main outcome was the development of ROP requiring treatment. Body weight measurements were recorded daily. Relative weight gains (g/kg/day) were calculated at the second, fourth, and sixth week after birth.
Results:
Of the 211 infants, 89 developed ROP, of which 41 spontaneously regressed and 48 with early treatment of ROP type I required laser treatment. The relative weight gain at 2, 4, and 6 weeks postnatal age was significantly lower in infants with ROP requiring treatment than in infants without ROP or those with spontaneous regression (P<0.001, P=0.005, and P=0.004, respectively). On logistic regression, poor relative weight gain in the first 2 weeks was found to be related to ROP requiring treatment (adjusted odds ratio, 0.809; 95% confidence interval, 0.695-0.941; P=0.006). Relative weight gain at 2 weeks postnatal age was significantly lower in infants with ROP requiring treatment compared to that in ROP requiring no treatment (P=0.012).
Conclusion:
Poor postnatal weight gain in the first 2 weeks of life is an important and independent risk factor for ROP requiring treatment. Postnatal weight gain can predict the development of severe ROP requiring treatment.
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