The utility of serial plasma sE-selectin measurements in the prediction of retinopathy of prematurity in premature infants.

BACKGROUND

sE-selectin has recently been suggested as a surrogate marker for prediction of ROP development.

AIMS

The possible role of serial plasma sE-selectin measurements in early prediction and diagnosis of ROP was evaluated.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective observational study

SUBJECTS

Forty six preterm infants aged <34weeks of gestation and weighing <1500 g were enrolled. Of these, 26 constituted the ROP group and 20 constituted the no-ROP group. sE-selectin levels were measured serially in blood samples on the 1st day and on 14th and 28th postnatal days.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome measure was to evaluate the role of sE-selectin concentrations in prediction of ROP.

RESULTS

The mean gestational age and birth weight were significantly lower in the ROP group. The mean sE-selectin concentrations in ROP group were significantly greater than those in no-ROP group at each time point (1st, 14th and 28th days of postnatal life). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that at a plasma concentration of ≥86ng/mL on the 1st postnatal day, sE-selectin had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 94.1% with a positive predictive value of 96.3% and a negative predictive value of 100%. Plasma sE-selectin concentrations were significantly greater in infants who developed ROP in three different time points.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows for the first time that measurement of plasma sE-selectin concentrations as early as the first day of life might help identify preterm infants at risk of ROP.