Purpose: To evaluate complete blood count (CBC) parameters in the first week of life as predictive biomarkers for the development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Methods: Multicenter, prospective, observational study of a cohort of preterm infants born with gestational age (GA) < 32 weeks or birth weight < 1500 g in eight Portuguese neonatal intensive care units. All demographic, clinical, and laboratory data from the first week of life were collected. Univariate logistic regression was used to assess risk factors for ROP and then multivariate regression was performed. Results: A total of 455 infants were included in the study. The median GA was 29.6 weeks, and the median birth weight was 1295 g. One hundred and seventy-two infants (37.8%) developed ROP. Median values of erythrocytes (p < 0.001), hemoglobin (p < 0.001), hematocrit (p < 0.001), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (p < 0.001), lymphocytes (p = 0.035), and platelets (p = 0.003) of the group of infants diagnosed with ROP any stage were lower than those without ROP. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) (p = 0.044), red blood cell distribution width (RDW) (p < 0.001), erythroblasts (p < 0.001), neutrophils (p = 0.030), neutrophils-lymphocytes ratio (p = 0.028), and basophils (p = 0.003) were higher in the ROP group. Higher values of MCV, erythroblasts, and basophils remained significantly associated with ROP after multivariate regression. Conclusion: In our cohort, the increase in erythroblasts, MCV, and basophils in the first week of life was significantly and independently associated with the development of ROP. These CBC parameters may be early predictive biomarkers for ROP.

Background and Aims. Eating habits may contribute to longevity. We characterized the eating habits and cardiovascular risk (CVR) biomarkers in Portuguese centenarians (CENT) compared to controls. Methods and Results. Centenarians (n = 253), 100.26 ± 1.98 years, were compared with 268 controls (67.51 ± 3.25), low (LCR) and high (HCR) CVR (QRISK®2‐2016). Anthropometric and body composition were evaluated by bioimpedance. Abdominal obesity, BMI, and fat mass (FM) cut‐offs were according to the WHO. Sarcopenia was defined by muscle mass index cut‐off ≤ 16.7 kg/m². Daily red meat intake, adjusted for age and gender, was sarcopenia protective (OR = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.096–0.670, P = 0.006); however, it contributes for FM excess (OR = 4.946, 95% CI = 1.471–16.626, P = 0.01), overweight, and obesity (OR = 4.804, 95% CI = 1.666–13.851, P = 0.004). This centenarian eating habit (2%) contrasts to HCR (64.3%). The history of red meat (P < 0.0001) and canned/industrialized food intakes (P < 0.0001) was associated with HCR. Basal metabolism was lower in centenarians versus LCR/HCR (CENT = 1176.78 ± 201.98; LCR = 1356.54 ± 170.65; HCR = 1561.33 ± 267.85; P < 0.0001), BMI (CENT = 21.06 ± 3.68; LCR = 28.49 ± 4.69; HCR = 29.56 ± 5.26; P < 0.0001), waist circumference (CENT = 85.29 ± 10.83; LCR = 96.02 ± 11.71; HCR = 104.50 ± 11.84; P < 0.0001), and waist‐hip ratio (CENT = 0.88 ± 0.07; LCR = 0.92 ± 0.08; HCR = 1.01 ± 0.08; P < 0.0001). CENT had lower total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, non‐HDL cholesterol, and cholesterol/HDL ratio than controls. Conclusions. Frequent consumption of red meat, cholesterol, and heme iron rich may contribute to obesity and increased CVR. The low frequency of this consumption, observed in centenarians, although associated with sarcopenia, may be one of the keys to longevity.

Background/Objectives: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a leading cause of vision impairment in preterm infants, with its pathogenesis linked to oxygen exposure. Red blood cell (RBC) transfusions, commonly performed in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), reduce fetal hemoglobin (HbF) fraction, altering oxygen dynamics and potentially contributing to ROP. We aimed to investigate the relationship between RBC transfusions, HbF percentage, and ROP, evaluating HbF as a potential predictive biomarker. Methods: A multicenter, prospective study was conducted across eight Portuguese NICUs, involving infants born at <32 weeks gestational age (GA) or <1500 g. ROP staging followed the International Classification of ROP (ICROP2). Clinical data were collected during hospitalization, and HbF fractions were measured from blood samples in the first four weeks of life using standardized methods. Infants were stratified by ROP presence and treatment requirement. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 28.0, with p < 0.05. Results: Eighty-two infants (mean GA: 28.1 ± 2.1 weeks, birth weight: 1055.8 ± 258.3 g) were included. Among them, 29 (35.4%) presented ROP and 4 (4.9%) required treatment. Infants with ROP had more RBC transfusions and lower HbF percentages than those without ROP (p < 0.05). Lower HbF was associated with more RBC transfusions (p < 0.001). Kaplan–Meier survival curves showed a higher ROP risk in infants with reduced HbF (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Low HbF percentage in the first four weeks of life may increase ROP risk in preterm infants. HbF could serve as a biomarker for ROP prediction. Interventions preserving HbF may reduce ROP risk. Further studies are needed to validate HbF as a biomarker and refine prevention strategies.

The development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) may be influenced by anemia or a low fetal/adult hemoglobin ratio. We aimed to analyze the association between DNA methyltransferase 3 β (DNMT3B) (rs2424913), methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) (rs1801133), and lysine-specific histone demethylase 1A (KDM1A) (rs7548692) polymorphisms, erythrocyte parameters during the first week of life, and ROP. In total, 396 infants (gestational age < 32 weeks or birth weight < 1500 g) were evaluated clinically and hematologically. Genotyping was performed using a MicroChip DNA on a platform employing iPlex MassARRAY^®. Multivariate regression was performed after determining risk factors for ROP using univariate regression. In the group of infants who developed ROP red blood cell distribution width (RDW), erythroblasts, and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) were higher, while mean hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were lower; higher RDW was associated with KDM1A (AA), MTHFR (CC and CC + TT), KDM1A (AA) + MTHFR (CC), and KDM1A (AA) + DNMT3B (allele C); KDM1A (AA) + MTHFR (CC) were associated with higher RDW, erythroblasts, MCV, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH); higher MCV and MCH were also associated with KDM1A (AA) + MTHFR (CC) + DNMT3B (allele C). We concluded that the polymorphisms studied may influence susceptibility to ROP by modulating erythropoiesis and gene expression of the fetal/adult hemoglobin ratio.

The gene TAS2R38 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs-P49A, A262V and V296I) can condition bitter tasting by PAV (proline–alanine–valine) and non-bitter-tasting by AVI (alanine–valine–isoleucine) homozygosity. We evaluated this polymorphisms association with thyroid function, metabolism and anthropometry parameters determined by: Endpoint analysis (SNPs); DXA (fat mass-%, total fat mass—kg, lean mass—kg); Standard methods (lipid metabolism parameters, HbA1c-%, glycemia—mg/dL, insulinemia—µIU/mL, HOMA-IR, uricemia—mg/dL, calcemia—mg/dL and BMI—kg/m²); ELISA (leptinemia—ng/mL); Spectrophotometry (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme activity—UI/L). Statistics: SPSS program; OR [IC95%]; p < 0.05. Sample: 114 hypothyroid, 49 hyperthyroid, and 179 controls. An association between A262V-valine–valine and hypothyroidism/hyperthyroidism was verified (OR = 2.841; IC95% [1.726–4.676]), p < 0.001/OR = 8.915; IC95% [4.286–18.543]), p < 0.001). Protector effect from thyroid dysfunction: A262V-alanine–valine (OR = 0.467; IC95% [0.289–0.757], p = 0.002/OR = 0.132; IC95% [0.056–0.309], p < 0.001) and PAV (OR = 0.456; IC95% [0.282–0.737], p = 0.001/OR = 0.101; IC95% [0.041–0.250], p < 0.001). Higher parameter values associated with genotypes were: fat-mass-% (V296I-valine–isoleucine), lean-mass (P49A-proline–proline; PVI), leptin (AVI), HbA1c (A262V-alanine–valine) and lower values in lean-Mass (AVI; PVV), leptin (A262V-alanine–alanine), HbA1c (PVV), uricemia (V296I-valine–isoleucine), glycemia (A262V-alanine–alanine; AAV) and plasma triglycerides (PVV). In conclusion, TAS2R38 influences thyroid function, body composition and metabolism. Bitter taste perception (PAV) and the genotype A262V-alanine–valine can protect from thyroid dysfunction. AVV, PVV and genotype A262V-valine–valine may confer higher predisposition for thyroid dysfunction, particularly PVV for hyperthyroidism.

Background/Objectives: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a retinal neovascular disease affecting preterm infants. Identifying risk factors for its development and progression is critical for effective screening and prevention. This study aimed to analyze the incidence of ROP and identify key risk factors for its development and progression. Methods: We conducted a prospective, observational cohort study on 455 neonates (gestational age [GA] < 32 weeks or birth weight < 1500 g) across eight Portuguese NICUs. Results: ROP incidence was 37.8%, with 4.6% requiring treatment. Multivariate analysis identified low GA and the number of red blood cell (RBC) transfusions as significant factors for ROP development and progression. After adjusting for these variables, platelet transfusions, high maximum fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO₂) in the second week, and surfactant use remained significantly associated with ROP development, while early and late sepsis, maternal chronic hypertension, and delayed enteral nutrition were associated with progression to ROP requiring treatment. Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of addressing low GAs and adult RBC transfusions in ROP risk management and suggest that maximum FiO₂, platelet transfusions, and sepsis also play crucial roles. Larger studies are needed to validate these results and explore preventive interventions, particularly regarding the impact of multiple adult RBC transfusions on fetal hemoglobin percentages.