Abstract
Purpose. To evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic significance of serum FGF23 and VEGF-A levels in newborns with retinopathy of prematurity and to analyze their association with clinical characteristics of the disease.
Material and Methods. A prospective comparative study was conducted including 120 newborns: 42 preterm infants with retinopathy of prematurity, 40 preterm infants without signs of the disease, and 38 full-term newborns. Serum concentrations of FGF23 and VEGF-A were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The relationship between biomarker levels and clinical parameters of ROP was assessed using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient.
Results. Significantly higher serum levels of FGF23 (185±42 pg/mL) and VEGF-A (1.35±0.42 ng/mL) were detected in preterm infants with retinopathy of prematurity compared with both preterm infants without ROP and full-term newborns (p<0.05). FGF23 levels demonstrated a moderate positive correlation with disease stage (r=0.611; p<0.05), while VEGF-A levels also showed a statistically significant positive correlation (r=0,505; p<0.05). In addition, higher FGF23 concentrations were observed in patients who required treatment.
Conclusion. Serum FGF23 and VEGF-A levels were significantly elevated in preterm infants with ROP and showed positive correlations with disease severity. Higher FGF23 concentrations were also associated with the need for treatment, supporting its potential prognostic value. Combined assessment of FGF23 and VEGF-A may provide additional information for evaluating disease severity in preterm infants with ROP.