Analysis of Salivary Cytokines in Retinopathy of Prematurity

Background/Objectives: This cohort study aimed to establish a correlation between salivary cytokines and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in premature neonates. Additionally, we sought to identify a minimally invasive method for cytokine detection in this population. Methods: We recruited premature...

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Main Authors: Hwa-Shiu Wu, Hsin-Chun Huang, I-Lun Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Children
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/1/80
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author Hwa-Shiu Wu
Hsin-Chun Huang
I-Lun Chen
author_facet Hwa-Shiu Wu
Hsin-Chun Huang
I-Lun Chen
author_sort Hwa-Shiu Wu
collection DOAJ
description Background/Objectives: This cohort study aimed to establish a correlation between salivary cytokines and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in premature neonates. Additionally, we sought to identify a minimally invasive method for cytokine detection in this population. Methods: We recruited premature neonates born at less than 34 weeks gestational age (GA), with no history of maternal or neonatal infections. Salivary samples were collected on their first (D1) and seventh (D7) days of life, and cytokine levels were measured using the MILLPLEXMAP Human multiplex assay. Results: A total of 125 neonates were included in the study, categorized into two groups based on the severity of ROP: None to Mild and Moderate to Severe. The salivary levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α on D1 and D7 were significantly higher in the Moderate to Severe ROP group compared to the None to Mild ROP group (<i>p</i> = 0.005, 0.004, 0.026, 0.018, 0.001, 0.007, 0.025, and 0.002, respectively). After adjusting for GA, the levels of IL-6 and VEGF on D7 were significantly elevated in the Moderate to Severe ROP group compared to the None to Mild ROP group (<i>p</i> = 0.024 and 0.016, respectively). Conclusions: This study establishes a novel, non-invasive method for the early prediction of ROP in premature neonates by correlating salivary cytokine levels in early life with the subsequent development of ROP.
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spelling doaj-art-1bc253f4bea04ec1b66b99d569d173032025-01-24T13:27:13ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672025-01-011218010.3390/children12010080Analysis of Salivary Cytokines in Retinopathy of PrematurityHwa-Shiu Wu0Hsin-Chun Huang1I-Lun Chen2Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kaohsiung 83301, TaiwanDepartment of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kaohsiung 83301, TaiwanDepartment of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kaohsiung 83301, TaiwanBackground/Objectives: This cohort study aimed to establish a correlation between salivary cytokines and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in premature neonates. Additionally, we sought to identify a minimally invasive method for cytokine detection in this population. Methods: We recruited premature neonates born at less than 34 weeks gestational age (GA), with no history of maternal or neonatal infections. Salivary samples were collected on their first (D1) and seventh (D7) days of life, and cytokine levels were measured using the MILLPLEXMAP Human multiplex assay. Results: A total of 125 neonates were included in the study, categorized into two groups based on the severity of ROP: None to Mild and Moderate to Severe. The salivary levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α on D1 and D7 were significantly higher in the Moderate to Severe ROP group compared to the None to Mild ROP group (<i>p</i> = 0.005, 0.004, 0.026, 0.018, 0.001, 0.007, 0.025, and 0.002, respectively). After adjusting for GA, the levels of IL-6 and VEGF on D7 were significantly elevated in the Moderate to Severe ROP group compared to the None to Mild ROP group (<i>p</i> = 0.024 and 0.016, respectively). Conclusions: This study establishes a novel, non-invasive method for the early prediction of ROP in premature neonates by correlating salivary cytokine levels in early life with the subsequent development of ROP.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/1/80retinopathy of prematuritysalivacytokines
spellingShingle Hwa-Shiu Wu
Hsin-Chun Huang
I-Lun Chen
Analysis of Salivary Cytokines in Retinopathy of Prematurity
Children
retinopathy of prematurity
saliva
cytokines
title Analysis of Salivary Cytokines in Retinopathy of Prematurity
title_full Analysis of Salivary Cytokines in Retinopathy of Prematurity
title_fullStr Analysis of Salivary Cytokines in Retinopathy of Prematurity
title_full_unstemmed Analysis of Salivary Cytokines in Retinopathy of Prematurity
title_short Analysis of Salivary Cytokines in Retinopathy of Prematurity
title_sort analysis of salivary cytokines in retinopathy of prematurity
topic retinopathy of prematurity
saliva
cytokines
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/1/80
work_keys_str_mv AT hwashiuwu analysisofsalivarycytokinesinretinopathyofprematurity
AT hsinchunhuang analysisofsalivarycytokinesinretinopathyofprematurity
AT ilunchen analysisofsalivarycytokinesinretinopathyofprematurity