Abnormal Expression of Peripheral Blood Leukocyte Surface Markers in Retinopathy of Prematurity Patients.

Objective: Our study compares immune cell profiles in preterm infants with and without severe ROP, identifying risk factors for its development to explore both immunological aspects and determinants of ROP in preterm infants. Methods: Infants born between January 2023 to December 2023 at the Children's Hospital of Shanxi were enrolled in this study according to the inclusion criteria. Patients were divided into a test group or a control group based on the need for Type 1 ROP treatment. Baseline data for both groups were compared. Neutrophil, lymphocyte, and monocyte subsets in the peripheral blood were analyzed using immunophenotypic analysis via multicolor flow cytometry. This method allowed for the quantification of specific cell subset proportions. Results: A total of 2,110 preterm infants were screened for inclusion in the study. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified gestational age below 28 weeks, birth weight less than 1,000 g, and neonatal sepsis as independent risk factors for severe ROP. Furthermore, flow cytometry analysis was performed on blood samples from 45 preterm patients. Comparative analysis revealed that the test group had a lower percentage of neutrophils and higher expression of cluster of differentiation 81 (CD81) compared to the control group. Additionally, the test group showed a higher percentage of lymphocytes and a greater proportion of Th17 cells than the control group. Conclusion: Preterm gestational age, low birth weight, and neonatal sepsis increase severe ROP risk. Elevated CD81 and Th17 levels suggest inflammation linked to neutrophils and lymphocytes.