Bevacizumab for Retinopathy of Prematurity: 2-Year Neurodevelopmental Follow-up.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine whether infants who were treated with intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) were at higher risk of death or neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) when compared with infants who were not treated with IVB (Laser only).

STUDY

DESIGN

This retrospective study included 146 infants born from 2009 through 2016 with a birth weight (BW) <1,000 g, gestational age <27 weeks, and required ROP therapy. Death and NDI rates were assessed at 18 to 24 months' corrected age.

RESULTS

Rates of death or severe NDI were 62 and 53% in the IVB (n = 61) and Laser only (n = 85) groups, respectively. This difference was not statistically different despite sample selection bias in treating growth-restricted infants with IVB, BW (median [IQR]) was 481 (420-583) versus 547 (473-640) g in IVB and Laser only groups, respectively, p = 0.003. The adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval of death or severe NDI was 0.86 (0.33-2.20).

CONCLUSION

Bevacizumab therapy for ROP did not affect survival and neurodevelopment of extremely preterm infants.

KEY POINTS: · Intravitreal bevacizumab therapy for retinopathy of prematurity may be safe in periviable preterm infants.. · Intravitreal bevacizumab therapy does not increase mortality rate in periviable preterm infants.. · Intravitreal bevacizumab therapy does not increase adverse neurodevelopmental outcome in periviable infants..