Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is the main cause of visual impairment in premature infants and is considered to be a multifactorial disease. Because of the similarity between the human retina and the erythrocyte concerning their antioxidant mechanism, the aim of this study was to measure the erythrocyte anti-oxyenzyme activity of preterm infants.
Methods: This prospective study was performed on a tertiary referral hospital. Blood samples were collected from umbilical arterial lines or the radial artery of 33 preterm infants within 24 h after delivery to evaluate erythrocyte anti-oxyenzyme activity. Clinical data and oxygen administration were obtained and the correlations of enzyme activity and ROP status were examined.
Results: Gestational age, birth weight, 1-min Apgar score, and cellular glutathione peroxidase activity were significantly lower in preterm infants with ROP. There was no correlation between enzyme activity and gestational age, birth weight, or severity of ROP. There were no differences in cumulative oxygen and ventilator administration.
Conclusions: Gestational age and birth weight, 1-min Apgar score, and glutathione peroxidase activity are risk factors for ROP. Defective glutathione peroxidase activity may contribute to the initial phase of ROP.