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Yildirim M, Coban A, Bulut O, Mercül NK, Ince Z. Postnatal weight gain and retinopathy of prematurity in preterm infants: a population-based retrospective cohort study. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2024; 37:2337720. [PMID: 38616183 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2024.2337720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Infants who meet the screening guidelines for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) based on birth weight and gestational age undergo serial ophthalmological examinations for its detection and treatment. However, <10% of patients require treatment, and less than half develop ROP. Poor postnatal weight gain has been reported to be a strong indicator of ROP development; however, the information regarding this is unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the relationship between postnatal weight gain and ROP development in preterm infants. METHODS The data of 675 preterm infants with gestational age ≤32 weeks, who were hospitalized in our neonatal intensive care unit, were obtained retrospectively from file records. The infants' demographic characteristics, clinical findings, and weekly weight gain (g/kg/day) during the first 8 weeks were recorded. The univariate was used to examine the risk factors for ROP followed by multivariate regression. RESULTS The incidence of ROP in the infants included in the study was 41% (n = 278) and 13.3% (n = 37) of them required treatment. In the infants of the group that developed ROP, the mean birth weight and gestational age were significantly lower than those in the group that did not develop ROP (973 ± 288 and 1301 ± 349 g, p = 0.001 and 28.48 ± 1.95 and 30.08 ± 1.60 weeks, p = 0.001, respectively). As the gestational week and birth weight decreased, ROP development and the risk of ROP-requiring treatment increased. In the infants of the group that developed ROP, the mean weight gain in the postnatal third week was detected as significantly lower compared to those in the group that did not develop ROP (13.9 ± 8.2 and 15.4 ± 6.8 g, p = 0.034). On multiple logistic regression analysis, birth weight (<750 g) (odds ratio [OR], 8.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.99-18.82, p = 0.001), blood transfusion (OR, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.34-4.24, p = 0.003), necrotizing enterocolitis (OR, 4.79; 95% CI, 1.05-26.85, p = 0.045), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.22-3.36, p = 0.006), antenatal steroid therapy (OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.05-2.43, p = 0.028), surfactant administration (OR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.32-3.2, p = 0.001) were independent risk factors for ROP development. CONCLUSION Postnatal weight gain may not be an accurate predictor of ROP development after adjusting for confounding factors. However, the analysis of independent risk factors that influenced the development of ROP revealed a statistically significant effect in cases of low birth weight, blood transfusion, necrotizing enterocolitis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and antenatal steroid and surfactant therapies. These findings may help ophthalmologists and neonatologists to pay special attention to this patient group during ROP scanning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Yildirim
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Asuman Coban
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ozgul Bulut
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Nur Kir Mercül
- Department of Ophthalmology, Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Zeynep Ince
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
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2
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Lai MY, Chang YH, Lee CC. The impact of gut microbiota on morbidities in preterm infants. Kaohsiung J Med Sci 2024. [PMID: 39073226 DOI: 10.1002/kjm2.12878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The gut microbiota undergoes substantial development from birth, and its development in the initial years of life has a potentially lifelong effect on the health of the individual. However, various factors can disrupt the development of the gut microbiota, leading to a condition known as dysbiosis, particularly in preterm infants. Current studies involving adults have suggested that the gut microbiota not only influences the gut but also has multidimensional effects on remote organs; these pathways are often referred to as the gut-organ axis. Imbalance of the gut microbiota may lead to the development of multiple diseases. Recent studies have revealed that gut dysbiosis in preterm infants may cause several acute morbidities-such as necrotizing enterocolitis, late-onset sepsis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and retinopathy of prematurity-and it may also influence long-term outcomes including neurodevelopment and somatic growth. This review mainly presents the existing evidence regarding the relationships between the gut microbiota and these morbidities in preterm infants and explores the role of the gut-organ axis in these morbidities. This paper thus offers insights into the future perspectives on microbiota interventions for promoting the health of preterm infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Yin Lai
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yin-Hsi Chang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Chung Lee
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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Hellström A, Smith LEH, Hård AL. ROP: 80 Years after Its Detection - Where Do We Stand and How Long Will We Continue to Laser? Neonatology 2024:1-8. [PMID: 38776885 DOI: 10.1159/000538907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), a potentially blinding disease, is increasing worldwide because of the increased survival of extremely preterm and preterm infants born where oxygen monitoring and ROP screening programs are insufficient. Repeated retinal examinations are stressful for infants, and laser photocoagulation treatment for sight-threatening ROP is destructive. The use of anti-VEGF agents instead of lasers is widespread but requires a long-term follow-up because of late recurrence of the disease. In addition, the optimal anti-VEGF agent dosage and long-term systemic effects require further study. SUMMARY Interventions preventing ROP would be far preferable, and systemic interventions might promote better development of the brain and other organs. Interventions such as improved oxygen control, provision of fresh maternal milk, supplementation with arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, and fetal hemoglobin preservation by reducing blood sample volumes may help prevent ROP and reduce the need for treatment. Free readily available online tools to predict severe ROP may reduce unnecessary eye examinations and select, for screening, those at a high risk of needing treatment. KEY MESSAGES Treatment warranting ROP is a sign of impaired neurovascular development in the central nervous system. Preventative measures to improve the outcomes are available. Screening can be refined using tools that can predict severe ROP. Laser treatment and anti-VEGF agents are valuable treatment modalities that may complement each other in recurrent ROP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Hellström
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institution of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Lois E H Smith
- The Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Anna-Lena Hård
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institution of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden,
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Garg PM, Riddick RA, Ansari MAY, Meilstrup AC, Zepponi D, Smith A, Mungan N, Shenberger J, Hillegass WB, Garg PP. Clinical and Growth Correlates of Retinopathy of Prematurity in Preterm Infants with Surgical Necrotizing Enterocolitis and Intestinal Perforation. Am J Perinatol 2024. [PMID: 38565196 DOI: 10.1055/a-2297-8644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to identify the clinical and growth parameters associated with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in infants with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and spontaneous ileal perforation (SIP). STUDY DESIGN We conducted a retrospective cohort study that compared clinical data before and after NEC/SIP onset in neonates, categorizing by any ROP and severe ROP (type 1/2) status. RESULTS The analysis included 109 infants with surgical NEC/SIP. Sixty infants (60/109, 55%) were diagnosed with any ROP, 32/109 (29.3%) infants (22% type 1 and 7.3% type 2) with severe ROP. On univariate analysis, those with severe ROP (32/109, 39.5%) were of lower median gestational age (GA, 23.8 weeks [23.4, 24.6] vs. 27.3 [26.3, 29.0], p < 0.001), lower median birth weight (625 g [512, 710] vs. 935 [700, 1,180], p < 0.001) and experienced higher exposure to clinical chorioamnionitis (22.6 vs. 2.13%, p < 0.006), and later median onset of ROP diagnosis (63.0 days [47.0, 77.2] vs. 29.0 [19.0, 41.0], p < 0.001), received Penrose drain placement more commonly (19 [59.4%] vs. 16 [34.0%], p = 0.04), retained less residual small bowel (70.0 cm [63.1, 90.8] vs. 90.8 [72.0, 101], p = 0.007) following surgery, were exposed to higher FiO2 7 days after birth (p = 0.001), received ventilation longer and exposed to higher FiO2 at 2 weeks (p < 0.05) following NEC and developed acute kidney injury (AKI) more often (25 [86.2%] vs. 20 [46.5%], p = 0.002) than those without ROP. Those with severe ROP had lower length, weight for length, and head circumference z scores. In an adjusted Firth's logistic regression, GA (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.51, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [0.35, 0.76]) and diagnosis at later age (aOR = 1.08, 95% CI: [1.03, 1.13]) was shown to be significantly associated with any ROP. CONCLUSION Infants who develop severe ROP following surgical NEC/SIP are likely to be younger, smaller, have been exposed to more O2, develop AKI, and grow poorly compared with those did not develop severe ROP. KEY POINTS · Thirty percent of infants with NEC/SIP had severe ROP.. · Those with severe ROP had poor growth parameters before and after NEC/SIP.. · Risk factors based ROP prevention strategies are needed to have improved ophthalmic outcomes..
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Affiliation(s)
- Parvesh M Garg
- Department of Pediatrics/Neonatology, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
| | - Robin A Riddick
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
| | - Md A Y Ansari
- Department of Data Sciences, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
| | - Asha C Meilstrup
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
| | - David Zepponi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
| | - Andrea Smith
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
| | - Nils Mungan
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
| | - Jeffrey Shenberger
- Department of Pediatrics/Neonatology, Connecticut Children's, Hartford, Connecticut
| | - William B Hillegass
- Department of Data Sciences, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
- Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
| | - Padma P Garg
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
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Shemesh R, Strauss T, Zaslavsky-Paltiel I, Lerner-Geva L, Reichman B, Wygnanski-Jaffe T. Perinatal and neonatal risk factors for retinopathy of prematurity in very low birthweight, very preterm twins: a population-based study. Eye (Lond) 2024; 38:902-909. [PMID: 37925560 PMCID: PMC10965998 DOI: 10.1038/s41433-023-02801-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of perinatal and neonatal risk factors on retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and to examine the association of fertility treatments on the risk for ROP in very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm twins. METHODS The population-based observational study consisted of VLBW twins born at 24-29 weeks gestational age (GA). Data from the Israel national database (1995-2020) were applied. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression using the General Estimating Equation were used for assessment of risk factors. RESULTS The study population comprised 4092 infants of whom 2374 (58%) were conceived following fertility treatments. ROP was diagnosed in 851 (20.8%) infants. The odds for ROP approximately doubled with each week decrease in GA: at 24 weeks, Odds Ratio (OR) 58.00 (95% confidence interval (CI) 31.83-105.68); 25 weeks, OR 25.88 (95% CI 16.76-39.96); 26 weeks, OR 12.69 (95% CI 8.84-18.22) compared to 29 weeks GA. Each decrease in one birthweight z-score was associated with 1.82-fold increased risk for ROP (OR, 1.82, 95% CI 1.59-2.08). Infertility treatments were not associated with ROP. Neonatal morbidities significantly associated with ROP were surgical necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) (OR, 2.04, 95% CI 1.31-3.19); surgically treated patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) (OR, 1.63, 95% CI 1.12-2.37); sepsis (OR, 1.43, 95% CI 1.20-1.71) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (OR, 1.52, 95% CI 1.22-1.90). CONCLUSION Among preterm VLBW twins, poor intrauterine growth and surgical interventions for NEC and PDA were associated with high odds for ROP. This study does not support an association of fertility treatments with increased risk for ROP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Shemesh
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Goldschleger Eye Institute, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
| | - Tzipi Strauss
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Department of Neonatology, Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
| | - Inna Zaslavsky-Paltiel
- Women and Children's Health Research Unit, Gertner Institute, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Liat Lerner-Geva
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Women and Children's Health Research Unit, Gertner Institute, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Brian Reichman
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Women and Children's Health Research Unit, Gertner Institute, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Tamara Wygnanski-Jaffe
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
- Goldschleger Eye Institute, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
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Pascarella F, Scaramuzzo RT, Pini A, Cammalleri M, Bagnoli P, Ciantelli M, Filippi L. Propranolol: a new pharmacologic approach to counter retinopathy of prematurity progression. Front Pediatr 2024; 12:1322783. [PMID: 38292211 PMCID: PMC10824858 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2024.1322783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the evident progress in neonatal medicine, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) remains a serious threat to the vision of premature infants, due to a still partial understanding of the mechanisms underlying the development of this disease and the lack of drugs capable of arresting its progression. Although ROP is a multifactorial disease, retinal vascularization is strictly dependent on oxygen concentration. The exposition of the retina of a preterm newborn, still incompletely vascularized, to an atmosphere relatively hyperoxic, as the extrauterine environment, induces the downregulation of proangiogenic factors and therefore the interruption of vascularization (first ischemic phase of ROP). However, over the following weeks, the growing metabolic requirement of this ischemic retina produces a progressive hypoxia that specularly promotes the surge of proangiogenic factors, finally leading to proliferative retinopathy (second proliferative phase of ROP). The demonstration that the noradrenergic system is actively involved in the coupling between hypoxia and the induction of vasculogenesis paved the way for a pharmacologic intervention aimed at counteracting the interaction of noradrenaline with specific receptors and consequently the progression of ROP. A similar trend has been observed in infantile hemangiomas, the most common vascular lesion of childhood induced by pre-existing hypoxia, which shares similar characteristics with ROP. The fact that propranolol, an unselective antagonist of β1/2 adrenoceptors, counteracts the growth of infantile hemangiomas, suggested the idea of testing the efficacy of propranolol in infants with ROP. From preclinical studies, ongoing clinical trials demonstrated that topical administration of propranolol likely represents the optimal approach to reconcile its efficacy and maximum safety. Given the strict relationship between vessels and neurons, recovering retinal vascularization with propranolol may add further efficacy to prevent retinal dysfunction. In conclusion, the strategy of contrasting precociously the progression of the disease appears to be more advantageous than the current wait-and-see therapeutic approach, which instead is mainly focused on avoiding retinal detachment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alessandro Pini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Maurizio Cammalleri
- Unit of General Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paola Bagnoli
- Unit of General Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Luca Filippi
- Neonatology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Zhang JY, Greenwald MJ, Rodriguez SH. Gut Microbiome and Retinopathy of Prematurity. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2023; 193:1683-1690. [PMID: 36780985 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2023.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), a leading cause of childhood blindness worldwide, is strongly associated with gestational age and weight at birth. Yet, many extremely preterm infants never develop ROP or develop only mild ROP with spontaneous regression. In addition, a myriad of other factors play a role in the retinal pathology, one of which may include the early gut microbiome. The complications associated with early gestational age include dysbiosis of the dynamic neonatal gut microbiome, as evidenced by the development of often concomitant conditions, such as necrotizing enterocolitis. Given this, alongside growing evidence for a gut-retina axis, there is an increasing interest in how the early intestinal environment may play a role in the pathophysiology of ROP. Potential mechanisms include dysregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor and insulin-like growth factor 1. Furthermore, the gut microbiome may be impacted by other known risk factors for ROP, such as intermittent hypoxia and sepsis treated with antibiotics. This mini-review summarizes the literature supporting these proposed avenues, establishing a foundation to guide future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Y Zhang
- Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Mark J Greenwald
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Sarah H Rodriguez
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
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Prasad M, Ingolfsland EC, Christiansen SP. Modifiable Risk Factors and Preventative Strategies for Severe Retinopathy of Prematurity. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13051075. [PMID: 37240719 DOI: 10.3390/life13051075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe ROP is characterized by the development of retinal fibrovascular proliferation that may progress to retinal detachment. The purpose of this report is to review five of the most common and well-studied perinatal and neonatal modifiable risk factors for the development of severe ROP. Hyperoxemia, hypoxia, and associated prolonged respiratory support are linked to the development of severe ROP. While there is a well-established association between clinical maternal chorioamnionitis and severe ROP, there is greater variability between histologic chorioamnionitis and severe ROP. Neonatal sepsis, including both bacterial and fungal subtypes, are independent predictors of severe ROP in preterm infants. Although there is limited evidence related to platelet transfusions, the risk of severe ROP increases with the number and volume of red blood cell transfusions. Poor postnatal weight gain within the first six weeks of life is also strongly tied to the development of severe ROP. We also discuss preventative strategies that may reduce the risk of severe ROP. Limited evidence-based studies exist regarding the protective effects of caffeine, human milk, and vitamins A and E.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minali Prasad
- Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Ellen C Ingolfsland
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Stephen P Christiansen
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Pediatrics, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA
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Filippi L, Cammalleri M, Amato R, Ciantelli M, Pini A, Bagnoli P, Dal Monte M. Decoupling Oxygen Tension From Retinal Vascularization as a New Perspective for Management of Retinopathy of Prematurity. New Opportunities From β-adrenoceptors. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:835771. [PMID: 35126166 PMCID: PMC8814365 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.835771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is an evolutive and potentially blinding eye disease that affects preterm newborns. Unfortunately, until now no conservative therapy of active ROP with proven efficacy is available. Although ROP is a multifactorial disease, premature exposition to oxygen concentrations higher than those intrauterine, represents the initial pathogenetic trigger. The increase of oxygenation in a retina still incompletely vascularized promotes the downregulation of proangiogenic factors and finally the interruption of vascularization (ischemic phase). However, the increasing metabolic requirement of the ischemic retina induces, over the following weeks, a progressive hypoxia that specularly increases the levels of proangiogenic factors finally leading to proliferative retinopathy (proliferative phase). Considering non-modifiable the coupling between oxygen levels and vascularization, so far, neonatologists and ophthalmologists have “played defense”, meticulously searching the minimum necessary concentration of oxygen for individual newborns, refining their diagnostic ability, adopting a careful monitoring policy, ready to decisively intervene only in a very advanced stage of disease progression. However, recent advances have demonstrated the possibility to pharmacologically modulate the relationship between oxygen and vascularization, opening thus the perspective for new therapeutic or preventive opportunities. The perspective of a shift from a defensive towards an attack strategy is now at hand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Filippi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- *Correspondence: Luca Filippi,
| | | | - Rosario Amato
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Alessandro Pini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Paola Bagnoli
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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