Relationship between serum inositol concentration and development of retinopathy of prematurity: a prospective study.

PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between the intake of sugar inositol, serum inositol levels, and ROP in three groups of low birthweight infants receiving feedings containing various concentrations of inositol.

METHODS

Infants with a birthweight <1500 g, with severe lung disease, were eligible for the study when they began enteral feedings. Infant formulas contained three different inositol concentrations: 2500, 710, and 242 micromol/L. Serum inositol concentrations were averaged over specific time intervals. A logistic regression model was used to investigate the confounding effect of duration of mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy, birthweight, Apgar score, and serum inositol concentration on development of ROP.

RESULTS

Infants receiving high inositol formula and with higher serum inositol concentrations at birth and after 30 days had a statistically significant lower incidence of severe ROP than those receiving the lower inositol formula and with lower serum concentrations (P<.05). The effective serum inositol concentration (EC90) associated with lesser disease was >215 micromol/L. By logistic regression, the odds of developing severe ROP were greater among infants with low serum inositol concentration (odds ratio=4.7, 95% confidence interval 0.90-24.8, P=.017).

CONCLUSION

Inositol supplementation may help prevent the most severe form of ROP.