title: Maternal and neonatal factors associated with poor early weight gain and later retinopathy of prematurity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify factors associated with poor early weight gain as reflected in an alarm system, WINROP, and risk of later proliferative retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in infants with gestational age (GA) < 28 weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Infants with a WINROP alarm and proliferative ROP, the 'alarm group' (n = 23), were matched to GA and gender to a 'no alarm group' (n = 23) with no WINROP alarm and no or mild ROP. Retrospectively maternal variables, birth characteristics and neonatal factors, during the first three postnatal weeks, were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 'alarm group' had lower birth weight (BW) and BW standard deviation score, longer stay in ventilator, more insulin and corticosteroid treatments, and lower white blood cell count. In a logistic regression model, BW standard deviation score, insulin, low white blood cell count, absence of both elevated C-reactive protein and premature rupture of membranes were associated with proliferative ROP and WINROP alarm (p = 0.000, r(2) = 0.704).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows that prenatal factors resulting in low BW have persisting effects on early postnatal growth, metabolism and inflammatory response. Future prospective studies will focus on the link between these factors and pathological retinal vessel development in the early postnatal period to find possible preventive strategies.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors: Margareta Hök
authors: MH
authors: Wikstrand
authors: Anna-Lena
authors: AL
authors: Hård
authors: Aimon
authors: A
authors: Niklasson
authors: Lois
authors: L
authors: Smith
authors: Chatarina
authors: C
authors: Löfqvist
authors: Ann
authors: A
authors: Hellström
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D015997:Neonatal Screening / Q000379:methods; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia; D011247:Pregnancy; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012178:Retinopathy of Prematurity / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013548:Sweden; D013995:Time; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000502:physiology*