Grace Twitty1, Michael Weiss2, Catalina Bazacliu2, Keliana O'Mara3, Meredith E Mowitz2. 1. Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fl, USA. gtwitty@ufl.edu. 2. Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fl, USA. 3. Department of Pharmacy, WakeMed, Raleigh, NC, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate if preterm neonates developed systemic hypertension after intravitreal bevacizumab for retinopathy of prematurity. METHODS: Patients who received treatment between January 1, 2011 and January 31, 2019 were eligible for inclusion. Patients with pre-existing hypertension, congenital eye disease, or who were discharged within 72 h of treatment were excluded. Charts were reviewed for baseline data, co-morbidities, and the development of systemic hypertension within 4 weeks post treatment. RESULTS: After exclusions, 64 patients were analyzed. New-onset systemic hypertension was identified in 44 (69%) infants. There were no statistical differences in the demographic characteristics or presence of co-morbidities between the hypertensive and non-hypertensive groups. Of those who developed hypertension, the majority presented within the first week post treatment (55%). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of infants who received intravitreal bevacizumab developed new-onset systemic hypertension after treatment. Further studies may explore hypertension as a potential side effect of bevacizumab in the neonatal population.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate if preterm neonates developed systemic hypertension after intravitreal bevacizumab for retinopathy of prematurity. METHODS: Patients who received treatment between January 1, 2011 and January 31, 2019 were eligible for inclusion. Patients with pre-existing hypertension, congenital eye disease, or who were discharged within 72 h of treatment were excluded. Charts were reviewed for baseline data, co-morbidities, and the development of systemic hypertension within 4 weeks post treatment. RESULTS: After exclusions, 64 patients were analyzed. New-onset systemic hypertension was identified in 44 (69%) infants. There were no statistical differences in the demographic characteristics or presence of co-morbidities between the hypertensive and non-hypertensive groups. Of those who developed hypertension, the majority presented within the first week post treatment (55%). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of infants who received intravitreal bevacizumab developed new-onset systemic hypertension after treatment. Further studies may explore hypertension as a potential side effect of bevacizumab in the neonatal population.