Differences in Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy Susceptibility Between Two Sprague Dawley Rat Vendors: A Comparison of Retinal Transcriptomes.

Purpose: To determine the retinal transcriptomic differences underlying the oxygen-induced retinopathy phenotypes between Sprague Dawley rat pups from two commonly used commercial vendors. This will allow us to discover genes and pathways that may be related to differences in disease severity in similarly aged premature babies and suggest possible new treatment approaches.

Methods: We analyzed retinal vascular morphometry and transcriptomes from Sprague Dawley rat pups from Charles River Laboratories and Envigo (previously Harlan).

Modifiable Risk Factors and Preventative Strategies for Severe Retinopathy of Prematurity.

Severe ROP is characterized by the development of retinal fibrovascular proliferation that may progress to retinal detachment. The purpose of this report is to review five of the most common and well-studied perinatal and neonatal modifiable risk factors for the development of severe ROP. Hyperoxemia, hypoxia, and associated prolonged respiratory support are linked to the development of severe ROP.

Identification of reference genes for the normalization of retinal mRNA expression by RT-qPCR in oxygen induced retinopathy, anemia, and erythropoietin administration.

Background: Anemia and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) are common comorbidities experienced by preterm infants, yet the role of anemia on the pathogenesis of ROP remains unclear. Reverse-transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is a sensitive technique for estimating the gene expression changes at the transcript level but requires identification of stably expressed reference genes for accurate data interpretation. This is particularly important for oxygen induced retinopathy studies given that some commonly used reference genes are sensitive to oxygen.

Identification of clinical factors associated with timing and duration of spontaneous regression of retinopathy of prematurity not requiring treatment.

Objective: Identify clinical factors that delay or prolong spontaneous regression of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

Study Design: Secondary analysis of three prospective studies with 76 infants with ROP not requiring treatment, born ≤30 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) and ≤1500 grams. Outcomes were PMA at greatest severity of ROP (PMA MSROP), at which regression began, at time of complete vascularization (PMA CV), and regression duration.

Improving management of ventilator associated tracheitis in a level IV NICU.

Background: There are no published guidelines regarding the diagnosis and treatment of ventilator-associated tracheitis (VAT) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). VAT is likely over-diagnosed and over-treated, increasing antibiotic burden and cost.

Local Problem: Diagnosis and treatment of VAT were entirely NICU provider dependent.

Late Growth and Changes in Body Composition Influence Odds of Developing Retinopathy of Prematurity among Preterm Infants.

Background: While postnatal growth in the first month of life is known to impact retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) risk, the impact of growth later in hospitalization, during critical times of retinal vascularization, remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess if postnatal growth and body composition during the second half of neonatal intensive care unit hospitalization were associated with severity of retinopathy of prematurity in very low birth weight preterm infants.

Methods: Prospective observational pilot study of 83 infants born <32 weeks gestation and <1500 g, conducted at a Level IV neonatal intensive care unit.

Early body composition changes are associated with neurodevelopmental and metabolic outcomes at 4 years of age in very preterm infants.

Background: Very preterm (VPT) infants are at-risk for altered growth, slower speed of processing (SOP), and hypertension. This study assesses the relationship between postnatal body composition (BC), neurodevelopment (indexed by SOP), and blood pressure (BP) in VPT infants.

Methods: Thirty-four VPT infants underwent weekly measurements and BC testing until discharge and post-discharge at 4 mos CGA and 4 yrs.