Abstract
Purpose:
Autnomic nervous system agents caffeine (alpha- adrenergic agonist) and dopamine were found to strongly and idependently influence the outcome of retinopathy of prematurity. The purpose of this study was to explore the association of the use of albuterol (beta- adrenergic agonist) in the development and severity of retinopathy of prematurity.
Methods:
We reviewed the charts of infants screened for retinopathy of prematurity at our institution in the years 2009 and 2010. We included in the study infants that had been treated with albuterol during their stay in the neonatal intensive care unit.Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between the development and severity of ROP and the use and dose(s) of albuterol, after adjustment for covariates (the estimated gestational age and weight of the infants, and development of septicemia, intraventricular hemorrhage, or respiratory distress syndrome). Severe ROP was defined as stage 2 or worse.
Results:
350 premature infants were included in the study. Albuterol was used in 35 infants while in the NICU. After adjustment, there was no significant association between the use of albuterol and development of ROP [P= 0.34, Wald chi-square = 0.91)], and the need for ROP treatment [P=0.57, Wald chi-square = 0.91 ].After adjustment, there was no significant association between the dose of albuterol and development of ROP [P= 0.7, Odds ratio = 1.00 (95% CI from 0.97 to 1.04)], the severity of ROP [P= 0.4, Odds ratio = 1.00 (95% CI from 0.98 to 1.05)], and the need for ROP treatment [P=0.527, Odds ratio= 0.32 (95% CI from 0.10 to 10.8)].
Conclusions:
Unlike alpha- adrenergic and dopaminergic agonist drugs, the use of beta-adrenergic agonist drug albuterol in premature infants appeared to not independently influence the development and severity of retinopathy of prematurity.Although there was tendency for albuterol to influence the outcome of ROP, this did not reach statistical significance when adjusted for other common risks factor for the development of retinopathy of prematurity.