Work

Correlation between histologic chorioamnionitis and severe retinopathy of prematurity

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is influenced by factors, including gestational age (GA), oxygen exposure, and chorioamnionitis. However, the association between histologic chorioamnionitis (HCA) and ROP remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the association between HCA and severe ROP. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study utilized data from the National Korean Neonatal Network registry, focusing on infants with birthweights < 1500 g and GA < 32 weeks. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses assessed the association between HCA and severe ROP. Sub-cohort analyses were performed to evaluate the effect of HCA on severe ROP across different GA groups. RESULTS: Infants in the HCA cohort had lower GA and birth weights, with a higher prevalence of any-stage and severe ROP compared to those in the without-HCA cohort. However, multivariate logistic regression showed an inverse association between HCA and severe ROP. Sub-cohort analyses revealed that HCA was associated with an increased risk of severe ROP in infants born at 26-28 and 28-31 weeks, while no significant association was observed in infants born at 23-25 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: HCA may reduce the risk of severe ROP, suggesting that intrauterine inflammation could play a protective role. Further research is needed to elucidate underlying mechanisms. IMPACT: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is influenced by numerous perinatal and postnatal factors, including low gestational age, oxygen exposure, and chorioamnionitis. However, the association between chorioamnionitis and ROP remains controversial. Our study showed that histologic chorioamnionitis (HCA) was negatively correlated with severe ROP in preterm infants, even after adjusting for confounding factors such as gestational age and birth weight. These findings suggest that HCA may have a protective effect against severe ROP, potentially mediated by inflammatory markers.

Source: Pediatric Research

DOI: 10.1038/s41390-025-04093-y

Authors: Young Mi Yoon, Seung Han Shin, Chan-wook Park, Ee-Kyung Kim, Han-Suk Kim

Institutions: Chungnam National University Sejong Hospital, Seoul National University, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul National University Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Retinopathy of Prematurity Studies

Subfield: Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,390