The Risk of Retinopathy of Prematurity in the Infants following Assisted Reproductive Technology: A Meta-Analysis

Effect and factors associated with reactivation after intravitreal conbercept or aflibercept in retinopathy of prematurity

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the effect and factors associated with the reactivation of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) after intravitreal conbercept or aflibercept.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 176 eyes diagnosed with ROP and treated with anti-VEGF therapy between January 2018 and September 2022. The rate of reactivation and complications were assessed during the follow-up period. The factors of reactivation of ROP after intravitreal conbercept or aflibercept were analyzed on the basis of clinical factors and retinal parameters.

RESULTS

Reactivation of ROP occurred in 10 eyes (13.9%) after intravitreal conbercept and 13 eyes (12.5%) after intravitreal aflibercept (P = 0.79). The interval between injection and reactivation was significantly longer in the aflibercept group than in the conbercept group (15.50 ± 4.05 vs. 5.36 ± 0.50 weeks) (P < 0.001). The central retinal arteriolar equivalent (CRAE) of aggressive ROP was larger than that of type 1 prethreshold and threshold ROP before anti-VEGF therapy (P < 0.05). Zone I and stage 3 exhibited a positive correlation with the reactivation of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) [odds ratio (OR) = 20.15, 5.02]. The changes in CRAE of pre-and post-therapy and gestational age were identified as potential protective factors for these outcomes (OR = 0.23, 0.49).

CONCLUSIONS

Conbercept and aflibercept are effective for treating ROP. Aflibercept resulted in longer treatment intervals compared to conbercept. Zone, stage, and gestational age were associated with the reactivation of ROP. CRAE was associated with not only the severity of ROP but also its reactivation. Additionally, it may be an objective indicator in the early indication and follow-up of ROP.

Analysis of the Association between In Vitro Fertilization/Assisted Conception and the Development of Retinopathy of Prematurity in Very-Low-Birth Weight Newborns

Objective

The objective is to study to what extent the development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is associated with assisted conception (AC) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) in a tertiary referral hospital.

Materials and Methods

This study is a retrospective observational cohort study. Very-low-birth weight (VLBW) infants with gestational age (GA) <32 weeks or birth weight <1500 g were admitted to the neonatal unit of a tertiary care hospital between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2021. The study determined the degree of ROP developed according to the type of fertilization used for conception. Main outcome measures were ROP prevalence in pregnancies obtained after IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in the period from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2021, in a tertiary hospital.

Results

Of the 408 infants included in the study sample, 105 (25.7%) were born following AC and 12.4% of these developed ROP. In our sample, the practice of IVF was not associated with an increase in the incidence of VLBW infants (R2 = 0.12; P = .29).

Conclusion

Conception achieved via AC or IVF is not significantly associated with ROP in any degree of severity.

Perinatal and neonatal risk factors for retinopathy of prematurity in very low birthweight, very preterm twins: a population-based study

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.

Risk factors in the development of retinopathy of prematurity: A 10-year retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) rate and risk factors in a large cohort of preterm newborns.

METHODS

Single center retrospective study. All preterm inborn hospitalized at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the Policlinico of Catania from January 1, 2009 till December 31, 2018, were included. ROP stage and location, treatments required, maternal and infant risk factors were evaluated.

RESULTS

Medical records of 898 preterms were retrospectively examined (mean gestational age 32.9 ± 2.3 weeks). Of them 149 (16.6 %) developed bilateral ROP (92 stage 1, 44 stage 2 and 13 stage 3); 66 (7.3 %) received bilateral laser treatment. Six eyes of three patients affected by zone I ROP 1, with plus persistence 15 days after an optimal laser treatment, also received intravitreal ranibizumab injection. Risk factors for ROP development were gestational age (GA) (p < 0.001), birthweight (p < 0.001), assisted ventilation duration (p < 0.001), multiple birth (p = 0.003), erythropoietin (EPO) administration (p = 0.005) and persistence of tunica vasculosa lentis. The decision-tree analysis showed gestational age as the most significant predictive factor (P < 0.001); secondary predictive factors were EPO administration (p = 0.001) in newborns 29-31 weeks GA and birthweight lower than 2090 g (p < 0.001) in 32-34 weeks GA; in this latter group patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) was a tertiary predictive factor (p = 0.043).

CONCLUSIONS

In our study ROP incidence was 16,6 %; 7.3 % of the patients required laser treatment. Besides well-known factors, such as GA and birthweight, other factors like duration of assisted ventilation, EPO, multiple births, PDA, tunica vasculosa lentis persistence should be considered to tailor ophthalmic evaluation and follow-up.

The epidemiology of apnoea of prematurity

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

Many premature infants less than 37 weeks gestational age (GA), and almost all infants less than 28 weeks GA, will experience apnoea of prematurity (AOP)-a cessation of respiration for 20 or more seconds (or less than 20 s if accompanied by other signs). Because the treatment options for AOP are so limited, we explore its epidemiology, with the ultimate hope of learning how to decrease its incidence.

COMMENT

Although AOP usually resolves with maturation of the respiratory system, many short- and long-term negative effects are correlated statistically with AOP (although direct causality has not been established). The primary risk factor for AOP is preterm birth, but delivery technique, genetics, socioeconomic status, racial disparities and other influences are suspected to be involved. Anaemia, asthma and gastric reflux have also been associated with preterm birth, but the relationship with AOP is unclear. The postulated associations and the strength of the evidence are briefly reviewed and discussed.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

Attempts to elucidate the epidemiology of apnoea of prematurity have been challenging. Studies of AOP are hampered in part by challenges in monitoring the condition, the interplay of multiple comorbidities in preterm neonates and lack of expert consensus definitions. However, since the primary risk factor is preterm birth, efforts to decrease the prevalence of preterm birth would have a positive secondary effect on the prevalence of AOP. Until then, better pharmacotherapeutic options are needed.

Additional Adverse Perinatal Outcomes With No Effect on Neonatal Mortality and Birth Defects in Pregnancies Conceived by Assisted Reproductive Technology

BACKGROUND

Pregnancy outcomes and perinatal diseases of children conceived by assisted reproductive technology (ART) and spontaneous conception (SC) are still unclear. We sought to compare the effects of ART and SC on adverse neonatal outcomes.

METHODS

We included 5,913 neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of the First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Science and Technology of China between January 2017 and December 2020. There were 1,112 (18.8%) ART pregnancies and 4,801 (81.2%) SC pregnancies. Data on maternal characteristics, comorbidities during pregnancy, and neonatal outcomes were collected and analyzed. Logistic regression models estimated the odds ratios (ORs) and 99% CIs of neonatal outcomes according to ART pregnancy. Neonatal outcomes primarily included neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), neonatal anemia, birth defects, and mortality.

RESULTS

Among 5,913 neonates, 485 (8.2%) had NRDS, 165 (2.8%) had BPD, 113 (1.9%) had ROP, 602 (10.2%) had neonatal anemia, and 1,112 (18.8%) were ART infants. The incidence of pregnancy-related complications, such as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), gestational hypothyroidism, and rheumatic immune diseases, in mothers receiving ART, was higher than that in the SC group. On multivariate analysis, ART was independently associated with NRDS (OR = 1.46; 95% CI, 1.11-1.93; p = 0.008) and ROP (OR = 1.79; 95% CI, 1.06-3.05; p = 0.031). Moreover, the association persisted after adjustment for maternal age, history of cesarean section, preconception factors, and pregnancy complications. For BPD (OR = 1.44; 95% CI, 0.91-2.27; p = 0.117) and neonatal anemia (OR = 1.12; 95% CI, 0.87-1.45; p = 0.373), the associations were attenuated substantially when adjusting for pregnancy complications. ART was associated with neither birth defects (OR = 0.98; 95% CI, 0.77-1.25; p = 0.889) nor mortality (OR = 0.98; 95% CI, 0.51-1.91; p = 0.961).

CONCLUSION

ART was independently associated with adverse neonatal outcomes, including NRDS and ROP. Therefore, women who conceive by ART must improve their perinatal health and management of pregnancy-related comorbidities to enhance the quality of life of their offspring.

Retinopathy of Prematurity: Advances in the Screening and Treatment of Retinopathy of Prematurity Using a Single Center Approach

PURPOSE

To focus on the longitudinal evaluation of high-risk infants for the development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) at a single tertiary neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and to evaluate evolving demographics of ROP and the transition of treatment-warranted disease.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

A consecutive retrospective review was performed of all infants screened for ROP between 1990 and 2019 at the Jackson Memorial Hospital neonatal intensive care unit. All inborn infants meeting a birth criteria of <32 weeks' gestational age (GA) or a birthweight (BW) of 1500 g were included. Longitudinal demographic, diagnostic, and treatment data were reported.

RESULTS

Between January 1, 1990, and June 20, 2019, a total of 25,567 examinations were performed and 7436 patients were included. Longitudinal trends over 3 decades demonstrated a decreasing incidence of ROP (P < .05). Although the mean BW and GA increased over 3 decades, patients with ROP demonstrated lower BW and GA over time (P < .05). The prevalence of micro-premature infants (as defined by BW <750 g) continues to rise over time. Micro-preemies demonstrated increasing severity of zone and stage grading, plus disease, and propensity to require treatment (P < .05). The rate of progression of ROP to stage 4 and 5 disease has decreased over time, and there has been an associated increased adoption of intravitreal bevacizumab as primary and salvage therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Understanding the evolution of ROP infants and treatment over time is critical in identifying high-risk infants and in reducing the incidence of severe-stage ROP. Micro-prematurity is one of the significant risk factors for treatment-warranted ROP that continues to increase as neonatal care improves. NOTE: Publication of this article is sponsored by the American Ophthalmological Society.

Current Resources for Evidence-Based Practice, May 2020

An extensive review of new resources to support the provision of evidence-based care for women and infants. The current column includes a discussion of a new National Academy of Medicine report on planned place of birth and implications during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and commentaries on reviews focused on anorectal sexually transmitted infections and feeding methods following cleft lip repair in infants.