Serum Vitamin D Levels in Premature Neonates with Retinopathy of Prematurity; Prevalence, Severity, and Types of Treatments; A Cross-Sectional Study from Iran, ۲۰۱۹-۲۰۲۰

Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is the leading cause of preventable blindness in premature infants. ۱, ۲۵-dihydro vitamin D (Vitamin D) is a critical metabolite for the homeostasis, growth, and development, with its receptors widely present in the structure of the eyes. This study aimed to investigate the potential relationships between serum vitamin D level and the prevalence, severity, and treatment types of ROP among neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Tehran, Iran, from ۲۰۱۹ to ۲۰۲۰. Seventy-five preterm neonates, either with a birth weight of ≤۲۰۰۰ grams or unstable conditions, were included in the study. Serum vitamin D levels were measured for all neonates immediately upon admission to the NICU. Additionally, a comprehensive eye examination was performed for ROP screening. Neonates who developed ROP were categorized into two groups: Type ۱ (required treatment) and Type ۲ (required no treatment or only close monitoring). The relationships between vitamin D levels and the severity and type of ROP treatment were then analyzed.Results: Among ۷۵ newborns, ROP developed in zone ۱ in ۱۰ cases (۱۳%), zone ۲ in ۵۰ cases (۶۷%), and zone ۳ in ۱۵ cases (۲۰%). Of all, ۱۸ cases (۲۴%) were classified as Type ۱ and required treatment. The mean gestational age of neonates with Type ۱ ROP was significantly lower than that of neonates in the other group (P= ۰.۰۲۸). Of all neonates, ۳۸ (۵۱%) had sufficient vitamin D levels, ۱۵ (۲۰%) had insufficient levels, and ۲۲ (۲۹%) were vitamin D deficient. When comparing vitamin D status between the groups, the results showed that the mean vitamin D level was lower in neonates with Type ۱ ROP compared to those with Type ۲ ROP. Additionally, the mean vitamin D level in neonates with zone ۳ ROP was significantly higher (P=۰.۰۴) than in those with zones ۱ and ۲.Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated a positive relationship between vitamin D levels and the zones affected by ROP. This finding suggests that prenatal vitamin D supplementation may have a beneficial effect in preventing abnormal angiogenesis and reducing the involvement of the posterior retinal pole.

کلیدواژه ها:

Infant ، Premature ، Retinopathy of prematurity ، Vitamin D