Platelet Parameters as Biomarkers for Retinopathy of Prematurity in Preterm Infants Born before 30 Weeks of Gestation

Abstract The aim of the study is to evaluate the association between platelet (PLT) parameters and the need for treatment of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in preterm infants. This single-center, retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Fukushima Medical University Hospital between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2023. The present study included preterm infants born before 30 weeks of gestation. Medical records were reviewed for 1,836 infants, of whom 187 met the inclusion criteria. Data on PLT parameters and ROP treatment were extracted from the medical records. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to determine cutoff values for PLT parameters associated with the need for ROP treatment. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the association between ROP treatment and PLT parameters at birth and on day of life 28. Among the 187 infants included, 42.8% required treatment for ROP. After adjusting for confounders, an association was found between ROP treatment and plateletcrit (PCT) values < 0.23% (odds ratio [OR]: 3.44; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.37–8.63) and platelet mass index (PMI) values < 2,303.0 fL/nL (OR: 4.50; 95% CI: 1.77–11.41) at birth. Infants born before 30 weeks of gestation with PCT values < 0.23% and PMI values < 2,303.0 fL/nL at birth had an increased risk of developing ROP warranting treatment.