NeonatologyPub Date : 2026-10-20DOI: 10.1159/neo/adsag028
Mikko Hallman, Alan H Jobe
{"title":"Apparent Improvement of Adverse Outcomes in Very Premature Infants Following Fetal Inflammatory Response Syndrome. Is it due to Changes in Management?","authors":"Mikko Hallman, Alan H Jobe","doi":"10.1159/neo/adsag028","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/neo/adsag028","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":94152,"journal":{"name":"Neonatology","volume":" ","pages":"1"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149229474","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
NeonatologyPub Date : 2026-10-16DOI: 10.1159/neo/adsag031
Sascha Portheine, Floor Pm Swinkels, Brigit Vugs, Jeanne P Dieleman, Carola van Pul, Peter Andriessen, Hendrik Niemarkt
{"title":"LISA failure and school-age motor impairment in very preterm infants: a retrospective cohort study.","authors":"Sascha Portheine, Floor Pm Swinkels, Brigit Vugs, Jeanne P Dieleman, Carola van Pul, Peter Andriessen, Hendrik Niemarkt","doi":"10.1159/neo/adsag031","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/neo/adsag031","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Background Less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) reduces the need for early invasive mechanical ventilation in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome. However, LISA failure (LISA-F), defined as the need for mechanical ventilation within 72 hours of life, occurs in a substantial proportion of cases. While the short-term complications of LISA-F are well described, the impact on long-term neurodevelopment remains unclear. Methods This retrospective cohort study included preterm infants born between 24+0 and 29+6 weeks' gestation who received surfactant therapy in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit. Infants were classified into three groups: LISA success (LISA-S), LISA-F, or primary intubation (PI). Neurodevelopmental outcomes were assessed at 5.5 years of age using WPPSI-IV-NL for cognition and mABC-2 for motor function. Multivariate analyses were adjusted for gestational age, birth weight z-score, antenatal corticosteroid exposure and severe intraventricular hemorrhage. Results Among 295 infants, 225 (76.3%) received LISA; 32% experienced LISA-F. Follow-up data were available for 168 of 246 survivors (68.3%). LISA-F was independently associated with lower motor scores than LISA-S (adjusted β -2.1; p=0.004), but not with cognitive outcomes. Infants who underwent primary intubation had significantly lower cognitive scores than those in the LISA-S group (adjusted β -5.1; p=0.038). Invasive mechanical ventilation within the first 72 hours was independently associated with motor developmental delay (aOR:3.9; 95% CI 1.2-13.2; p=0.028) Conclusion LISA-F is associated with adverse motor outcomes at school age. Our findings suggest that the early respiratory trajectory after LISA is more relevant to long term motor development than the initial surfactant administration technique itself.</p>","PeriodicalId":94152,"journal":{"name":"Neonatology","volume":" ","pages":"1"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149208320","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
NeonatologyPub Date : 2026-10-15DOI: 10.1159/neo/adsag030
Arohi Gupta, Venkateshwarlu Vardhelli, Srinivas Murki, Tanis R Fenton
{"title":"Extrauterine Growth Restriction: An Exaggerated condition, a misnomer that needs standardisation with correct definition or approach before clinical applications.","authors":"Arohi Gupta, Venkateshwarlu Vardhelli, Srinivas Murki, Tanis R Fenton","doi":"10.1159/neo/adsag030","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/neo/adsag030","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":94152,"journal":{"name":"Neonatology","volume":" ","pages":"1"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149198285","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
NeonatologyPub Date : 2026-10-13DOI: 10.1159/neo/adsag027
Fabio Alessandro Blom, Bas Vet, Frans de Jong, Frans H de Jongh, Anton H van Kaam, G Jeroen Hutten, Ruud W van Leuteren
{"title":"Automatic Apnea Detection and Classification in Preterm Infants Combining Machine Learning with Transcutaneous Electromyography of the Diaphragm: a Pilot Study.","authors":"Fabio Alessandro Blom, Bas Vet, Frans de Jong, Frans H de Jongh, Anton H van Kaam, G Jeroen Hutten, Ruud W van Leuteren","doi":"10.1159/neo/adsag027","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/neo/adsag027","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Real-time monitoring of apneic events is important to improve treatment and reduce intermittent hypoxemia in preterm infants, but remains challenging. We aimed to develop and test a machine learning (ML) model capable of automatic detection and classification of apneic events in preterm infants, using transcutaneous electromyography of the diaphragm (dEMG) and clinical parameters.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this prospective pilot study preterm infants (26-32 weeks gestational age) were monitored for 4-8 hours, recording dEMG, airway pressure (AWP), and oxygen saturation. Afterwards, experts labelled apneic events as central apnea (CA), obstructive apnea (OA), or signal noise. 60% of the data was used for model training, the remaining data was split into a validation and test dataset. Main outcomes were model sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Thirty infants with a median birth gestational age of 27.6 (IQR 26.9-28.4) weeks and birthweight of 990 (IQR 878-1177) grams were included. 21 infants were used for modelling, as AWP data turned out to be only reliable during nasal CPAP. In total, 89.5 hours of data, containing 1093 apnea labels were used. In the test set, which contained 76 CA and 141 OA labels, the ML model detected 53 and 103 events, respectively. This resulted in sensitivity and PPV scores of 70% and 88% for CA events, and 73% and 64% for OA events.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>A dEMG-based machine learning model is feasible for automatic detection and classification of apneic events in preterm infants. Future research will focus on model validation in a larger cohort.</p>","PeriodicalId":94152,"journal":{"name":"Neonatology","volume":" ","pages":"1"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149187165","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
NeonatologyPub Date : 2026-10-13DOI: 10.1159/neo/adsag029
Karianne Bjarmann Vølstad, Elise Sandås Sand, Anja Østeby Vassli, Tom Stiris, Ola D Saugstad, Helge Rootwelt, Katja Benedikte Prestø Elgstøen, Jannicke H Andresen
{"title":"Metabolomic Profiles Indicate Variable Tolerance to Hypoxia in Newborn Piglets: An Experimental Study of Low Dose Nicotine After Global Hypoxia.","authors":"Karianne Bjarmann Vølstad, Elise Sandås Sand, Anja Østeby Vassli, Tom Stiris, Ola D Saugstad, Helge Rootwelt, Katja Benedikte Prestø Elgstøen, Jannicke H Andresen","doi":"10.1159/neo/adsag029","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/neo/adsag029","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Treatment of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) remains incomplete. This study aimed to characterise metabolomic changes induced by severe hypoxia and assess whether low-dose intravenous nicotine could modify these changes. We aimed to explore whether piglets with decreased hypoxia tolerance (DHT) display a pre-existing metabolic signature compared with those with increased hypoxia tolerance (IHT).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Forty-one piglets were exposed to hypoxia (8 % O2) until predefined endpoints and randomised into three groups; nicotine (18 or 46 µg/kg/h) or saline, for 4 hours. Untargeted metabolomics was performed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) on dried blood spots collected before hypoxia, at the end of hypoxia, and at the end of the experiment. Metabolic features were compared between nicotine treated animals and the controls, and between the DHT and IHT groups.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Hypoxia altered numerous metabolites. Before hypoxia, DHT had higher levels of allantoin, O-phosphoethanolamine, glutamate, glutamylglycine, trimethylamine N-oxide, cytidine and histamine, and lower levels of dimethylarginine. The differences persisted after hypoxia. At the end of the study period, no significant differences were observed between the nicotine and control groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Severe hypoxia induced rapid changes in the metabolomic profile. Low doses of nicotine did not significantly modify this response. Differences in metabolomic profiles between the hypoxia tolerance groups before hypoxia may reflect a possible pre-existing susceptibility to hypoxia. Identifying metabolomic markers of susceptibility to hypoxia opens for optimising both standardised and individualised treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":94152,"journal":{"name":"Neonatology","volume":" ","pages":"1"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149187182","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
NeonatologyPub Date : 2026-10-12DOI: 10.1159/neo/adsag026
Jochen Essers, Jens Dreyhaupt, Sebahattin Cirak, Stephanie Ströbele, Frank Reister, Marc Robin Mendler
{"title":"Outcomes in a cohort of preterm infants born at 22-23 weeks from a proactive center in Germany.","authors":"Jochen Essers, Jens Dreyhaupt, Sebahattin Cirak, Stephanie Ströbele, Frank Reister, Marc Robin Mendler","doi":"10.1159/neo/adsag026","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/neo/adsag026","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>We describe survival, major neonatal morbidities and neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm infants below 24 weeks' GA in a German single- center cohort managed with an intensive care treatment approach.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective single-center study included preterm infants born at 22+0 to 22+6 weeks' and 23+0 to 23+6 weeks' gestation (GA) between January 2008 and December 2022. Obstetric characteristics, delivery room management, short-term outcomes and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 22-28 months were described. Findings were compared with published data from other proactive centers.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 183 inborn infants, 143 received intensive care treatment, including 32 infants born at 22 weeks' GA and 111 born at 23 weeks' GA. Survival to discharge among actively treated infants was 75.0% (24/32) at 22 weeks and 84.7% (94/111) at 23 weeks. Moderate/severe Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) occurred more frequently in 22-week than in 23-week infants (70.8% vs. 42.6%, p=0.02), and supplemental oxygen at discharge was more common (37.5% vs 16.0%, p=0.04). The rate of infants lost to follow-up was 20% in both groups. 47.4% of 22-week and 63.2% of 23-week infants had a Mental Development Index (MDI) ≥70 (no or mild impairment), whereas severe cognitive impairment (MDI <55) was present in 42.1% and 19.7%, respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In this experienced center with an intensive care treatment approach, survival of infants born at 22+0 to 23+6 weeks GA was high. However, neonatal morbidity and neurodevelopmental impairment remained substantial, particularly among 22-week infants. Future efforts should focus on improving long-term outcomes in addition to survival.</p>","PeriodicalId":94152,"journal":{"name":"Neonatology","volume":" ","pages":"1"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149170400","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Comparison of Two Modified Nasal-Tragus Length Methods for Estimating Orotracheal Tube Depth in Thai Neonates: A Randomized Controlled Trial.","authors":"Sopitsakarn Jaimuang, Wipawee Morakote, Varangthip Khuwuthayakorn, Shanika Kosarat, Maillika Pomrop, Satit Manopunya","doi":"10.1159/neo/adsag020","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/neo/adsag020","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Various recommendations have been proposed to estimate the proper orotracheal tube insertion depth (Pro-depth). This study aimed to compare the performance of two modified nasal-tragus length (NTL)-based methods-the NTL-based table (T-method) and a modified NTL-based formula (F-method: NTL + 1 cm for NTL ≤ 6.5 cm and NTL + 0.5 cm for NTL > 6.5 cm)-for estimating Pro-depth in Thai neonates.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this randomized controlled trial, Thai neonates undergoing orotracheal intubation were assigned to either method. Estimated insertion depth was compared with radiographically determined Pro-depth. Accuracy and short-term respiratory complications, including bronchial intubation, atelectasis, and unplanned extubation, were compared between groups.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Thirty-nine and forty-four neonates were allocated to the T-method and F-method groups, respectively. Both methods demonstrated strong correlations with Pro-depth (r = .87 vs .92, p = 0.305). The T-method slightly underestimated depth, whereas the F-method slightly overestimated depth (-0.03 ± 0.65 cm vs 0.11 ± 0.62 cm, p = .314). The F-method showed a higher rate of optimal ETT placement within the mid-intrathoracic target zone (49% vs 61%, p = .247), with no significant difference in short-term respiratory complications.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Both modified NTL-based methods demonstrated comparable accuracy and safety in Thai neonates. The F-method showed a trend toward improved optimal positioning within the mid-intrathoracic trachea, although the difference did not reach statistical significance. Radiographic confirmation remains essential to minimize the risk of clinically significant complications.</p>","PeriodicalId":94152,"journal":{"name":"Neonatology","volume":" ","pages":"1"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149169259","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
NeonatologyPub Date : 2026-10-10DOI: 10.1159/neo/adsag021
Alina Saldarriaga, Bailey B Zeiler, Rachel C Brennan, Timothy M Bahr, Robin K Ohls, Patrick G Gallagher, Robert Dennis Christensen
{"title":"Hemolytic Jaundice and Anemia with Methemoglobinemia in Dizygotic Newborn Twins with Hb Evans: Case Report.","authors":"Alina Saldarriaga, Bailey B Zeiler, Rachel C Brennan, Timothy M Bahr, Robin K Ohls, Patrick G Gallagher, Robert Dennis Christensen","doi":"10.1159/neo/adsag021","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/neo/adsag021","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>It is highly unusual for a newborn infant to present in the first days after birth with cyanosis secondary to methemoglobinemia and with hemolytic anemia and jaundice. This combination suggests the possibility of an unstable hemoglobin variant.</p><p><strong>Case presentation: </strong>We describe dizygotic twins, both with this presentation, where whole genome sequencing identified hemoglobin Evans (a point missense substitution in HBA2, the alpha2-globin gene) and found no other co-inherited variants known to be associated with neonatal methemoglobinemia, jaundice, or anemia. Herein we report on four affected members of this family. We also review the six previously published reports of Hb Evans. We explain the pathogenesis and review available treatments.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Hb Evans might be more common than the small number of published cases would indicate. The presentation of neonatal cyanosis secondary to methemoglobinemia accompanied by hemolytic anemia and jaundice should raise the possibility of an unstable hemoglobin variant such as Hb Evans.</p>","PeriodicalId":94152,"journal":{"name":"Neonatology","volume":" ","pages":"1"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149169232","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
NeonatologyPub Date : 2026-10-10DOI: 10.1159/neo/adsag023
Baukje M Dotinga, Bineta Elisabeth Lahr, Sijmen A Reijneveld, Arend Bos, Roy Stewart, Elisabeth M W Kooi
{"title":"Splanchnic oxygen saturation is not associated with early growth in very preterm infants.","authors":"Baukje M Dotinga, Bineta Elisabeth Lahr, Sijmen A Reijneveld, Arend Bos, Roy Stewart, Elisabeth M W Kooi","doi":"10.1159/neo/adsag023","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/neo/adsag023","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Preterm birth is associated with poorer growth, possibly due to postnatal conditions that disrupt nutritional status. Previous studies found an association between low regional splanchnic oxygen saturation (rsSO2) and feeding intolerance (FI). We hypothesized that low rsSO2 is associated with poorer growth because of FI and associated impaired digestion and absorption.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We included infants with gestational age (GA) < 32 weeks and/or birth weight < 1.2 kilograms (kg). We excluded infants with chromosomal or congenital abnormalities, gastrointestinal diseases, and those who died. We collected daily 2-hour mean rsSO2 measurements, using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), until the age of 7 days, and daily weight until the age of 21 days. We calculated the weekly relative growth rate (RGR) as the change in weight (g) divided by weight at the start of the interval (kg) and by the number of days. We used latent growth curve models to assess the association between rsSO2 and RGR.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We included 214 infants with a mean GA of 29.6 weeks and a mean birth weight of 1.4 kg. We did not find an association between rsSO2 in the first 7 days and RGR in the first 21 days of age. RGR in the first two weeks after birth was higher in lower GA and those born small for gestational age (SGA). Time to reach full enteral feeding (FEF) was longer in lower GA and in SGA, with GA showing the stronger association.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Longitudinal rsSO2 is not associated with early growth outcomes of very preterm infants.</p>","PeriodicalId":94152,"journal":{"name":"Neonatology","volume":" ","pages":"1"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149169445","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
NeonatologyPub Date : 2026-10-10DOI: 10.1159/neo/adsag022
Laura Torrejón-Rodríguez, Alba Cayuela-Hernández, Alejandro Pinilla-González, Nerea Valles-Murcia, Abel Albiach-Delgado, Julia Kuligowski, Maria Cernada, Maria Brugada-Montaner, Isabel Torres-Cuevas, Marta Aguar Carrascosa
{"title":"Fetal hemoglobin decline predicts retinopathy of prematurity and mediates the effect of red blood cell transfusion.","authors":"Laura Torrejón-Rodríguez, Alba Cayuela-Hernández, Alejandro Pinilla-González, Nerea Valles-Murcia, Abel Albiach-Delgado, Julia Kuligowski, Maria Cernada, Maria Brugada-Montaner, Isabel Torres-Cuevas, Marta Aguar Carrascosa","doi":"10.1159/neo/adsag022","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/neo/adsag022","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), the leading cause of preventable childhood blindness in preterm infants, is associated with red blood cell transfusions from adult donors. Whether this risk is driven by the resulting loss of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) remains unclear. We assessed whether postnatal HbF decline mediates the transfusion-ROP association and developed a predictive tool based on HbF kinetics to estimate individual ROP risk.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a prospective cohort of infants below 32 weeks' gestation (2021-2026). HbF was measured at birth and on days 7, 14, and 28. A LASSO-regularized logistic model identified independent ROP predictors and generated a probability-based prediction tool. Causal mediation analysis, adjusted for gestational age, assessed whether HbF decline mediates the transfusion-ROP association.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 403 infants, ROP developed in 11.7%. Day-14 HbF decline and gestational age were retained as main predictors of ROP. Each 10-percentage-point drop in HbF by day 14 increased ROP odds by 34% (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.11-1.63; P<0.001). The model showed strong discrimination on internal validation (2000-repetition bootstrap with cross-validation: AUC 0.90; NPV 98.1%). In mediation analysis, HbF decline over the first 28 days accounted for 71.8% of the total effect of transfusion on ROP (P=0.003), suggesting HbF loss, not transfusion per se, drives this association.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Postnatal HbF decline is an independent predictor of ROP and the dominant pathway linking transfusion to retinal injury in preterm infants, supporting further research on HbF preservation as a preventive strategy. Our HbF kinetics-based tool showed high discriminative accuracy (AUC 0.90), enabling early, individualized risk stratification.</p>","PeriodicalId":94152,"journal":{"name":"Neonatology","volume":" ","pages":"1"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149171773","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}