Contribution of early glycemic status in the development of severe retinopathy of prematurity in a cohort of ELBW infants

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between glycemic status and severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Study Design: This is a retrospective cohort study of 114 infants < 1000 g admitted to a level IV neonatal intensive care unit within 48 h of life. A cumulative, time-weighted glucose level (TWGL) derived from plotting glucose values over time was included in logistic regression analysis to identify predictors for severe ROP. Result: Infants had 26.6 +/- 2 weeks gestational age and had a birth weight of 782 +/- 136 g. TWGL during first 10 and 30 days of life were greater in the severe ROP group (P < 0.01). Unlike single events of glucose levels >= 150 mg dl(-1), 10 days TWGL >= 100 mg dl(-1) (odds ratio (OR) 5.2, P < 0.02) and 30 days TWGL >= 118 mg dl(-1) (OR 5.7, P < 0.02) were predictors for severe ROP (univariate). Multivariate regression confirmed 30 days TWGL >= 118 mg dl(-1) (OR 9.4 to 10) and gram-positive sepsis (OR 4.1 to 5) as predictors for severe ROP (P < 0.05). Conclusion: High overall glycemic status is associated with the development of severe ROP. Journal of Perinatology (2011) 31, 749-756; doi: 10.1038/jp.2011.19; published online 17 March 2011