Possible roles of bilirubin and breast milk in protection against retinopathy of prematurity.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the association of serum bilirubin level and breast milk feeding with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in preterm infants.


METHODS
We conducted a case-control study to examine the independent and combined effects of serum bilirubin and breast milk feeding on ROP risk in infants <32 weeks gestation or with birth weight <1500 g. Cases (66 infants with ROP) were matched with controls (66 infants without ROP) based on factors known to affect ROP risk.


RESULTS
When analysed using the paired t-test, the peak bilirubin levels were lower in ROP cases than in controls (mean 7.2 vs. 7.9 mg/dL; p = 0.045). Using conditional logistic regression, we found a negative association between highest serum bilirubin level and risk of ROP (OR = 0.82 per 1-mg/dL change in bilirubin; p = 0.06). There was no significant association between breast milk feeding and risk of ROP.


CONCLUSIONS
Bilirubin may help to protect preterm infants against ROP.
Kao
Joanna S
JS
Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
Dawson
Jeffrey D
JD
Murray
Jeffrey C
JC
Dagle
John M
JM
Berends
Susan K
SK
Gillen
Susan B
SB
Bell
Edward F
EF
D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood*; D001942:Breast Feeding; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D008297:Male; D008895:Milk, Human; D012178:Retinopathy of Prematurity / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
D001663:Bilirubin