Low fraction of fetal haemoglobin is associated with retinopathy of prematurity in the very preterm infant.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Blood loss and adult blood transfusions are common during the neonatal period in preterm infants. The objective of the study was to clarify if degree of loss of fetal haemoglobin (HbF) was associated with later retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

Methods

Retrospective observational cohort study. In total, 452 infants born <30 gestational weeks at a tertiary level neonatal intensive care unit in Sweden in 2009-2015 were included, 385 of whom had final ROP outcome. Mean fractions of HbF (%) during the first postnatal week were calculated from 11 861 arterial blood gas analyses. The relationship between fractions of HbF (%) and ROP was evaluated.

Results

The mean (SD) gestational age (GA) at birth was 26.4 (1.8) weeks. In total, 104 (27 %) infants developed ROP.

SUBMITTER: Hellstrom W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9234406 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature