Red blood cell parameters as biomarkers of retinopathy of prematurity in preterm infants born before 30 weeks of gestation

Abstract

Abstract Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a major cause of preventable blindness in preterm infants. The association between red blood cell (RBC) parameters and the development of ROP remains unclear. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the association between RBC parameters and ROP treatment. This single-center, retrospective cohort study included preterm infants born at < 30 weeks of gestation. Data pertaining to RBC parameters and ROP treatment were obtained from the medical records. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to determine the cut-off values of the RBC parameters according to the need for ROP treatment. Multiple logistic regression analyses assessed the association between ROP treatment and RBC parameters at birth and on day of life (DOL) 28. We included 202 infants, and 44.1% were treated for ROP. After adjusting for confounders, associations between ROP treatment and hemoglobin (Hb) values of < 9.9 g/dL (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]:3.0; 95% confidence intervals [CI]:1.4–6.7) and hematocrit (Hct) values of < 31.0% (aOR:2.7; 95% CI:1.3–5.6) on DOL 28 were detected. In conclusion, our study showed that infants born at < 30 weeks of gestation with Hb < 9.9 g/dL and Hct < 31.0% on DOL 28 had an increased risk of receiving ROP-warranting treatment.