Neurodevelopment of patients who received intravitreal bevacizumab or aflibercept for type 1 and aggressive retinopathy of prematurity

Abstract

Purpose We aimed to compare the neurodevelopment of patients who received intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) and intravitreal aflibercept (IVA) for type 1 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and aggressive ROP (A-ROP) using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3) test. Methods Patients who underwent IVB (group 1), IVA (group 2), and patients who did not receive treatment (group 3) were included in the prospective-controlled study. The patients were grouped as low-intermediate-high risk according to the high-risk infant follow-up guide. With the ASQ-3 test, fine and gross motor movements, communication, problem solving, and personal-social developments of the patients were compared. Results The gender distribution, birth weight (BW), and neonatal risk category of the groups were similar. Gestational age (GA) of group 1 was found to be lower compared to group 3. There was no difference between the groups in the development of gross and fine motor movements, communication and problem solving. The personal and social development of group 1 and group 2 was found to be retarded compared to the control group. Discussion As a result, the detection of retardation in the personal and social areas in the treated patients, and the detection of retardation in other areas, although not significant, reveals the necessity of following the development of these patient groups and providing the necessary support in the areas where retardation is detected.