Longitudinal postnatal weight measurements for the prediction of retinopathy of prematurity

Arch Ophthalmol. 2010 Apr;128(4):443-7. doi: 10.1001/archophthalmol.2010.31.

Abstract

Objective: To validate longitudinal postnatal weight gain as a method for predicting severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in a US cohort.

Methods: Both ROP evaluations and weekly weight measurements from birth to postmenstrual week 36 for 318 infants were entered into a computer-based surveillance system, WINROP. This system signaled an alarm when the rate of weight gain decreased compared with control subjects. Infants were classified into 3 groups: (1) no alarm, (2) low-risk alarm, or (3) high-risk alarm. Maximum ROP for each infant was categorized as (1) no ROP (immature or mature vascularization), (2) mild ROP (stage 1 or 2 ROP in zone II or III, without plus disease), or (3) severe ROP (any prethreshold, any stage 3, or threshold ROP). A high-risk alarm identified infants at risk for developing severe ROP.

Results: A high-risk alarm occurred in 81 infants (25.5%) and detected all infants who developed severe ROP a median of 9 weeks before diagnosis. The remaining infants received no alarm or a low-risk alarm. None of these infants developed more than mild ROP.

Conclusions: Longitudinal postnatal weight gain may help predict ROP. In a US cohort, the WINROP system had a sensitivity of 100% and identified infants early who developed severe ROP. With further validation, WINROP has the potential to safely reduce the number of ROP examinations.

Publication types

  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Birth Weight / physiology*
  • Female
  • Gestational Age
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature
  • Infant, Very Low Birth Weight
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / analysis
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Retinopathy of Prematurity / blood
  • Retinopathy of Prematurity / diagnosis*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sentinel Surveillance
  • Weight Gain / physiology*

Substances

  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I