Impact of early post natal weight gain on retinopathy of prematurity in very pre-term infants in South-Western Ontario

Abstract Body:

Purpose: Our aim was to examine the relationship between postnatal weight gain and development of any stage of ROP among preterm infants in South-Western Ontario.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review of medical records of 431 preterm infants born between January 1, 2008 and June 1, 2015 with gestational age (GA) at birth under 31 weeks or birth weight (BW) and under 1250 grams at Victoria Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre, London ON.

Methods: Neonatal characteristics, ROP status, comorbidities, postnatal weight measurements were collected and compared using analysis of variance. Weight was collected at birth; days 7, 14, 21, 28, 42 of life; first day of full enteral feeding (FEF); and discharge/transfer. Multivariable regression analysis was used to compare time durations and weight velocities while controlling confounding variables.

Results: Slow weight gain from day 7 to day 28 (p<0.001), higher weight change from birth to full enteral feeding (FEF) (p<0.001), a longer duration from birth to FEF (p<0.001), and longer duration from FEF to discharge/transfer (p<0.001) were associated with severe ROP. In logistic regression analysis adjusting for GA, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and surgical ligation for patent ductus arteriosus, only duration from FEF to discharge/transfer was an independent risk factor of ROP (p<0.05).

Conclusions: Slow weight gain from day 7 to day 28 and long duration from birth to FEF may be useful additional predictors for the development of ROP but is dependent on GA. A delay to reach FEF appears to be a risk factor for ROP that is independent of GA and BW, and may also be associated with other co-morbidities.