Exploring the role of glycemic variability in the development of treatment-requiring retinopathy of prematurity

BackgroundGlycemic variability is a common complication affecting very preterm infants. Hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia have been associated with increased neonatal morbidities, including retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). However, it remains unclear whether glycemic variability contributes to a higher risk of ROP. Our study investigated the relationship between glycemic variability and severe, treatment-requiring ROP in preterm infants during the first 28 days of life.MethodsA retrospective case-control study was conducted on infants with a birthweight ≤1500 g and/or gestational age ≤30 weeks. Cases included infants with severe ROP requiring treatment (<i>n</i> = 31) and were matched to controls with no ROP or ROP not requiring treatment (<i>n</i> = 62) in a 1:2 ratio. Glycemic variability was quantified as the standard deviation of mean glucose levels. Statistical analysis included t-tests, chi-squared, and Fisher's tests, with logistic regression models to adjust for confounders.ResultsDemographics and clinical variables were similar in cases and controls except for ethnicity and PDA. The mean glucose concentration was 130.74 mg/dl (±39.98) in the treatment group and 121.26 mg/dl (±47.44) in controls (<i>p</i> = 0.32). The number of hypo and hyperglycemic episodes was not significantly different between the two groups. Glycemic variability was also similar in cases and controls (mean SD = 36.01 vs 33.45, respectively; <i>p</i> = 0.31). After adjusting for confounders, no association was found between glycemic variability and ROP treatment.ConclusionOur study did not identify a significant association between glycemic variability and the development of severe, treatment-requiring ROP.