Hypertensive Retinopathy is Not Associated with Low or High Birth Weight – Results from the Population-Based German Gutenberg Health Study

Achim Fieß,1,* Sandra Gißler,1,* Philipp S Wild,2– 4 Karl J Lackner,5 Thomas Münzel,6 Matthias Michal,7 Michael S Urschitz,8 Norbert Pfeiffer,1 Alexander K Schuster1 1Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany; 2Preventive Cardiology and Preventive Medicine - Center for Cardiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany; 3Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis (CTH), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany; 4German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Rhine-Main, Mainz, Germany; 5Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany; 6Center for Cardiology – Cardiology I, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany; 7Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany; 8Division of Pediatric Epidemiology, Institute for Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Achim Fieß, Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, Mainz, 55131, Germany, Tel +49-6131-17-5150, Fax +49-6131-17-8495, Email [email protected]: This study investigates the association between self-reported birth weight (BW) and the prevalence of hypertensive retinopathy (HR) in a large population-based cohort in Germany, as part of the Gutenberg Health Study (GHS). The study involved analyzing fundus photographs of 6855 participants, aged 35 to 74, to assess signs of HR, classified according to the Mitchell-Wong Classification. The research aimed to explore the correlation between fetal growth restriction indicated by BW and the frequency of HR. The results showed that the frequency of HR did not significantly differ among groups with different BW ranges. In the univariable analysis, HR was initially associated with high BW, but this association disappeared after adjusting for age, sex, and cardiovascular risk factors. No association was found between low BW and HR. The study reveals novel insights as there are no prior population-based studies specifically exploring this association.Keywords: birth weight, hypertensive retinopathy, epidemiology, population-based stud

Improving manual oxygen titration in preterm infants by training and guideline implementation

To study oxygen saturation (SpO2) targeting before and after training and guideline implementation of manual oxygen titration, two cohorts of preterm infants 21%. ABCs where oxygen therapy was given were identified and analyzed. After training and guideline implementation the %SpO2-wtr increased (median interquartile range (IQR)) 48.0 (19.6-63.9) % vs 61.9 (48.5-72.3) %; p 95% (44.0 (27.8-66.2) % vs 30.8 (22.6-44.5) %; p 95% did not decrease (73% vs 64%; ns) but lasted shorter (2 (0-7) vs 1 (1-3) minute; p < 0.004). CONCLUSION: Training and guideline implementation in manual oxygen titration improved SpO2 targeting in preterm infants with more time spent within the target range and less frequent hyperoxaemia. The durations of hypoxaemia and hyperoxaemia during ABCs were shorter. What is Known: • Oxygen saturation targeting in preterm infants can be challenging and the compliance is low when oxygen is titrated manually. • Hyperoxaemia often occurs after oxygen therapy for oxygen desaturation during apnoeas. What is New: • Training and implementing guidelines improved oxygen saturation targeting and reduced hyperoxaemia. • Training and implementing guidelines improved manual oxygen titration during ABC