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Ellen Ingolfsland, MD, Pediatrics Fellow at the University of Minnesota Medical School,
has been awarded a $65,000 grant for her work with a common blinding eye disease among
premature infants which accounts for up to 40% of childhood blindness.

Presenting the check to Dr. Ingolfsland were Sir Knights from the Grand Commandery of
Minnesota; Daniel Sherry, Department Commander for the North Central Department; Brian Dimatteo,
Grand Commander; and Douglas Pamp, Past Grand Commander

The goal of this study is to investigate
the impact of neonatal anemia and its
treatment with erythropoietin (EPO) on the
development of retinopathy of prematurity
(ROP), which is characterized by
abnormal blood vessel development in the
retina. ROP remains a common blinding
eye disease among premature infants.
Observational studies suggest that anemia
may worsen ROP, but isolating the role of
anemia has been difficult in the complex
clinical environment of the hospital. In this
study, she will use a preclinical model to
study the effect of neonatal anemia and its treatment with EPO on the developing retina. She
will measure gene and protein levels of molecules important in regulating retinal blood vessel
development as well as visualizing changes to the retinal blood vessels themselves.
The results of this study will define whether and how anemia and its treatment with EPO
affect ROP development. If anemia is found to increase severity of retinopathy, it would
support more aggressive management of anemia in premature babies. If treatment of anemia
with EPO decreases severity of ROP, it would support use of this therapy in premature babies
and influence the timing of how it is used. The management of neonatal anemia remains
controversial. The results of this study have the potential to influence clinical care and to
improve the vision and outcomes of preterm infants.

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