AUTHOR=Yin Xiangyun , Xu Shimin , Zhang Xuefei , Li Liangliang , Xi Hongmin , Ma Lili , Sun Mengya , Yang Ping , Li Xianghong , Jiang Hong 

TITLE=The association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and retinopathy of prematurity in preterm infants

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pediatrics

VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2024

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pediatrics/articles/10.3389/fped.2024.1404196

DOI=10.3389/fped.2024.1404196

ISSN=2296-2360

ABSTRACT=Objective: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in premature infants one month after birth.Preterm infants (gestational age <32 weeks) admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from 2017 to 2022 were divided into ROP and non-ROP groups based on ROP occurrence any stage. Serum 25(OH)D levels and clinical data were compared between the two groups at 1 month after birth, and the relationship between vitamin D levels and ROP was analyzed.Results: Among the 217 premature infants included, 55 (25.35%) were in the ROP group, and 162 (74.65%) were in the non-ROP group. The ROP group had lower gestational age and birth weight, longer invasive ventilation (IV), non-invasive ventilation (NIV), and oxygen therapy times compared to the non-ROP group. Apgar scores, cesarean delivery, and antenatal steroids ratios were lower in the ROP group, while sepsis and pulmonary surfactant utilization ratios were higher (all p< 0.05). Significant differences in serum 25-(OH)D levels were observed among children in the non-ROP group (14.20 ± 5.07ng/ml) , ROP treated group (7.891 ± 1.878ng/ml) , and untreated group(12.168 ± 4.354ng/ml) (p < 0.001).Multivariate regression analysis identified antenatal steroids as protective factors and lower birth weight, serum 25-(OH)D levels , long-term invasive mechanical ventilation, and sepsis as independent risk factors for ROP in premature infants. Conclusion:Vitamin D, lower birth weight, long-term invasive mechanical ventilation, and sepsis were associated with incidence of ROP in preterm infants. Vitamin D was associated with the severity of ROP, emphasizing the importance of prudent vitamin D supplementation and regular monitoring of serum 25-(OH)D levels.