Abstract
Background
To assess reactivation after initial intravitreal injection of ranibizumab (IVR) for type 1 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) or worse and the outcome following reinjection of ranibizumab for this reactivation.
Methods
This retrospective study was performed on infants screened for ROP between March 2013 and February 2020 in Mansoura University Children Hospital, Mansoura, Egypt. Infants treated with ranibizumab 0.25 mg/0.025 mL were identified for review of their clinical outcomes. Data of infants with reactivation and IVR re-injection were analysed.
Results
A total of 2318 infants were screened for ROP, 115 (5%) infants (216 eyes) with a mean gestational age of 30 ± 2.5 weeks and mean birth weight of 1290 ± 355.2 g received IVR at mean postmenstrual age (PMA) of 38 ± 3.1 weeks. All treated eyes demonstrated initial regression of ROP. However, ROP reactivation occurred in 5 (2.3%) eyes of 3 patients, at an average of 9.6 ± 2.9 weeks after treatment. None of these eyes had retinal detachment. A second dose IVR was administered and all five eyes showed regression with complete retinal vascularisation, at a mean PMA of 60 ± 5.1 weeks.
Conclusions
IVR is beneficial as an initial and subsequent treatment for type 1 ROP or APROP. A long-term follow-up until complete retinal vascularisation is recommended to avoid disease reactivation.
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Acknowledgements
This work was supported by Science and Technology Development Fund (STDF), as capacity building grant for equipment. The sponsors had no role in the design or conduct of this research.
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The study idea and design were conceived by RMB, WMG and MRB. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by RMB, AEN, EAA and AGE. Preparation of the first draft of the manuscript was written by RMB and AGA. Final review of the manuscript was performed by WMG, AEN, AGA and MRB. All authors approved the final version of the manuscript that was submitted for publication.
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Bassiouny, R.M., Gaafar, W.M., El Nokrashy, A. et al. Clinical outcome following reinjection of Ranibizumab for reactivation of retinopathy of prematurity. Eye 36, 2137–2143 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-021-01814-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-021-01814-5
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