RETINOPATHY IN PREMATURE INFANTS

早产儿视网膜病变(ROP)是导致早产的主要原因之一。 新生儿失明，在较年轻的人群中发病率增加 孕龄。虽然已经确定了许多风险因素， 这种疾病的确切发病机制尚不清楚。早期研究 提示一种有效的血源性光敏剂-原卟啉IX(PP IX)-在早产儿中发现较高的数量可能会通过以下方式产生ROP 产生有毒的活性氧。这些光氧化产物 被认为是被维生素A和E等抗氧化剂清除的， 众所周知，早产儿的这一水平较低。基于这些研究， 我们假设高水平的PPIX和低水平的维生素A和维生素A E可能会增加早产儿的视网膜病变。我们采集了血液 70例早产儿妊娠期血清PPIX及维生素A、E水平 年龄24-32周，出生体重小于1200克。鲜血是 在出生时、2周和4周收集维生素A和E的PPIX水平 出生时、1周、2周、4周和6周较高。PPIX的血液样本已经被 在出生时和出生体重较低的婴儿中被发现是较高的。级别 维生素A和E最初含量较低，但随着时间的推移而增加。首字母 发生ROP的婴儿的水平较低。这些发现表明 最初看到的高PPIX水平和低维生素A和E水平 在生命的最初几天可能对发病机制很重要 ROP。因此，有必要继续进行研究，以评估这些 暴露在不同环境中的婴儿的表现及其与ROP的关系 光的数量。

Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) is one of the leading causes of blindness in newborn infants, with an increased incidence in younger gestational ages. Although numerous risk factors have been identified, the exact pathogenesis of this disease is unknown. Earlier studies suggest that a potent hematogenous photosensitizer-Protoporphyrin IX(PP IX) - found in higher quantities in premature infants may produce ROP by generating toxic reactive oxygen species. These photo-oxidation products are thought to be scavenged by antioxidants such as vitamins A and E, which are known to be low in premature infants. Based on these studies, we hypothesized that high levels of PPIX and low levels of vitamins A and E may increase retinopathy in premature infants. We collected blood levels of PPIX and vitamins A and E in 70 premature infants, gestational age 24-32 weeks with birthweight less than 1200 grams. Blood was collected at birth, 2 and 4 weeks for vitamins A and E. PPIX levels were higher at birth, 1,2,4 and 6 weeks. Blood samples of PPIX have been found to be higher at birth and in lower birthweight infants. Levels of vitamin A and E are initially low, but increase with time. Initial levels are lower in the infants who develop ROP. These findings suggest that high PPIX levels and low vitamin A and E levels seen initially within the first few days of life may be important to the pathogenesis of ROP. Continued studies are necessary, therefore, to evaluate these findings and their association with ROP in babies exposed to varying amounts of light.