The role of serial measurements of serum insulin-like growth factor 1 levels in the development of retinopathy of prematurity

Abstract

Aim: To determine the role of serum insulin-like growth factor-1 levels in the development of retinopathy of prematurity, which is a major cause of childhood blindness worldwide. Material and Methods: We prospectively studied newborn infants born at a postmenstrual age of <32 weeks and birth weights <1 500 gr, between Results: Among the 40 infants, 11 (27.5%) constituted the retinopathy of prematurity group and 29 comprised the non-retinopathy of prematurity group. In the retinopathy of prematurity group, the mean gestational age and birth weight was significantly lower. The demographic features of the study cohort were similar. The duration of mechanical ventilation was significantly greater in the retinopathy of prematurity group compared with the non-retinopathy of prematurity group (p=0.036). In terms of neonatal morbidities such as respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular hemorrhage, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, patent ductus arteriosus, and necrotizing enterocolitis, no differences were detected between the groups. The mean serum insulin-like growth factor-1 levels in retinopathy of prematurity group were significantly lower than those in the non-retinopathy of prematurity group at each time point ( Conclusions: This study demonstrated the low serum insulin-like growth factor-1 levels was associated with retinopathy of prematurity development. (Turk Pediatri Ars 2017; 52: 10-4)