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Association between treatment for retinopathy of prematurity and blood monocyte counts
Shumpei Obata1, Riko Matsumoto2, Masashi Kakinoki2
1Department of Ophthalmology, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga, Japan. obata326@belle.shiga-med.ac.jp.
Insights
Blood monocyte counts in premature infants are a significant risk factor for developing retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Monitoring these counts, particularly at four weeks, can aid in ROP management and follow-up.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Ophthalmology
- Hematology
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a significant cause of visual impairment in premature infants.
- Early identification of risk factors is crucial for timely intervention and improved outcomes.
- Blood monocyte counts have not been extensively studied as a predictive factor for ROP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between blood monocyte counts and the need for ROP treatment.
- To determine if monocyte counts serve as an independent risk factor for severe ROP (Type 1 ROP).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of 231 premature infants screened for ROP.
- Analysis focused on monocyte counts during the week with the largest inter-group difference.
- Multivariate logistic regression used to assess monocyte counts as an independent risk factor, controlling for gestational age, birth weight, infection, and Apgar score.
Main Results:
- The fourth week after birth showed the most significant difference in monocyte counts between infants with and without Type 1 ROP.
- Lower birth weight (odds ratio: 0.52) and higher monocyte counts at 4 weeks (odds ratio: 3.9) were significantly associated with Type 1 ROP.
- Monocyte counts at 4 weeks were a statistically significant predictor (P < 0.004).
Conclusions:
- Four-week monocyte counts are an independent risk factor for developing Type 1 ROP.
- Monitoring blood monocyte levels in premature infants may assist in ROP surveillance and management strategies.
Purpose:
To investigate blood monocyte counts as a risk factor for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) treatment.
Design:
Retrospective cohort study.
Methods:
Infants who underwent ROP screening at Shiga University of Medical Science Hospital between January, 2011 and July, 2021 were included in this study. Screening criteria were a gestational age (GA) < 32 weeks or birth weight (BW) < 1500 g. The week with the largest difference in monocyte counts between the infants with and without type 1 ROP determined based on the effect size. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to investigate whether the monocyte counts constituted an independent risk factor for type 1 ROP. The objective variable was type 1 ROP, and the explanatory variables were GA, BW, infants' infection, and Apgar score at 1 min and monocyte counts in the week with the largest monocyte-counts difference between the with- and without type 1 ROP groups.
Results:
In total, 231 infants met the inclusion criteria. The monocyte counts in the fourth week after birth (4w MONO) exhibited the largest difference between infants with and without type 1 ROP. The analysis was performed on 198 infants, excluding 33 infants without 4w MONO data. Thirty-one infants had type 1 ROP, whereas 167 infants did not. BW and 4w MONO were significantly associated with type 1 ROP (odds ratio: 0.52 and 3.9, P < .001 and 0.004, respectively).
Conclusions:
The 4w MONO was an independent risk factor for type 1 ROP and may be useful in follow-up of infants with ROP.
