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Haemoglobin Levels in Early Life among Infants with and without Retinopathy of Prematurity
Edwin Pheng1,2, Zi Di Lim1,2, Evelyn Tai Li Min1,2
1Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia.
Insights
Monitoring hemoglobin levels in the first week of life may help identify premature infants at risk for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Early detection of ROP is crucial for timely intervention in high-risk newborns.
Area of Science:
- Neonatology
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Hematology
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a serious eye condition affecting premature infants.
- ROP is linked to abnormal retinal vascular development, potentially influenced by oxygen transport factors like hemoglobin.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare weekly mean hemoglobin levels in premature infants with and without ROP.
- To investigate the association between hemoglobin levels and ROP development in early life.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of premature infants (<32 weeks GA, <1.5 kg birth weight).
- Age and birth weight-matched ROP cases and controls were compared.
- Weekly mean hemoglobin levels analyzed using independent t-tests and ANCOVA for confounder adjustment.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant difference in adjusted mean hemoglobin levels was found between ROP and non-ROP groups during the first week of life (p=0.038).
- No significant differences in hemoglobin levels were observed between groups in subsequent weeks.
Conclusions:
- Hemoglobin monitoring in the first week post-birth may aid in guiding ROP screening protocols.
- Early postnatal hemoglobin levels could be a predictive factor for retinopathy of prematurity.
Abstract:
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a proliferative retinal vascular disorder attributed to an ischaemic stimulus in preterm infants. Haemoglobin, the main component for oxygen transportation, may be implicated in ROP development. This retrospective study compared the mean weekly haemoglobin levels between infants with and without ROP over the first six weeks of life. Premature infants of less than 32 weeks gestational age and less than 1.5 kg birth weight were grouped into age and birth weight-matched ROP cases and controls. Weekly mean haemoglobin levels were documented. An independent t-test was used to analyze the difference in mean haemoglobin levels between infants with ROP and infants without ROP. Adjustment for confounders was performed using one-way analysis of covariance. There was a statistically significant difference in adjusted mean haemoglobin levels between the ROP and non-ROP group during the first week of life (p = 0.038). No significant intergroup differences were observed at the other weeks. Haemoglobin monitoring during the first week of postnatal life may be useful to guide ROP screening in premature infants.
