Researchers from the Floating Hospital for Children recently published a study in the Journal of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine on the possible connection between pregnancy disorders and retinopathy in extremely low birth weight newborns. Specifically, the prevalence of retinopathy in infants born to mothers with inflammatory pregnancy disorders was compared to placenta-associated disorders.
Inflammatory disorder was defined as premature rupture of membranes, preterm labor, insufficient cervix and abruption. Placental disorder was defined as fetal indication and preeclampsia.
Conclusion: After examining the impact of inflammatory and placenta disorders on retinopathy cases, researchers found increased risk in the placental disorder group.
Source: Lee JW, McElrath T, Chen M, Wallace DK, Allred EN, Leviton A, Dammann O. Pregnancy Disorders Appear to Modify the Risk for Retinopathy of Prematurity Associated With Neonatal Hyperoxemia and Bacteremia. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2013 Jan 9.