Relationship Between Mean Platelet Volume And Type1Retinopathy Of Prematurity

Purpose: The full understanding of the mechanisms involved in theetiopathogenesis of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is still not complete.Angiogenesis, which can be regulated by local release of proangiogenic orantiangiogenic factors, is a critical element in the pathologic process of ROP. Recentevidences pointed to a role of platelets in angiogenesis. Both pro-and antiangiogenicagents are stored in different subpopulations of α-granules in platelets andmegakaryocytes, and they can be differentially released upon specific stimulation. Apossible role of activated platelets in the pathogenesis of ROP can be hypothesized.Mean platelet volume (MPV) is a potentially useful biomarker of platelet activity.Larger platelets are metabolically and enzymatically more active than smaller ones.The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between MPV and theoccurrence of type1ROP.Methods: This was a retrospective case-control study. Eligible cases consisted ofall infants receiving ROP laser surgery at the First Hospital of Jilin Universitybetween January1,2008, and June31,2013. Controls received inpatient ROPexaminations during the same time period and developed no ROP. Exclusion criteriaincluded platelet data were available within one week period to laser surgery (case) ormatched postmenstrual age (control), follow-up is not reliable and case with adioagnose of bacteremia. ROP data collected included stage, zone, and presence ofplus disease. The most recent serum platelet count and mean platelet volume wereabstracted for each subject. Comparisons of parametric between groups wereperformed using Student’s t–test (P values <0.05).Results: During the study period,74eligible cases and74controls were includedfor analysis. There were44male and30female inclueded, respectively. Comparingthe control group, there were no statistically significant differences in gestational age(P=0.1421) or in birth weight (P=0.1318). A significant difference was found in MPV values between case and control groups (10.76±1.27fl,10.04±0.91fl, P=0.0001). No statistically significant differences were found in platelet counts or inmean platelet volume/platelet count ratio (MPV/P)(P=0.4151, P=0.1460,respectively).Conclusion:1. The MPV value of type1ROP was significantly increased.2. Nosignificant difference in platelet counts or MPV/P.3. Platelets may have a role in theneovascularization phase of ROP.