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 r eceiving 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 c ontained three different inositol concentrations: 2500, 710, and 242 mu mol /L. Serum inositol concentrations were averaged over specific time interval s. A logistic regression model was used to investigate the confounding effe ct of duration of mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy, birthweight, A pgar score, and serum inositol concentration on development of ROP. Results: Infants receiving high inositol formula and with higher serum inos itol concentrations at birth and after 30 days had a statistically signific ant lower incidence of severe ROP than those receiving the lower inositol f ormula and with lower serum concentrations (P<.05). The effective serum ino sitol concentration (EC90) associated with lesser disease was >215 mu mol/L . By logistic regression, the odds of developing severe ROP were greater am ong infants with low serum inositol concentration (odds ratio=4.7, 95% conf idence interval 0.90-24.8, P=.017). Conclusion: Inositol supplementation may help prevent the most severe form of ROP.