Related Experiment Videos
[Screening for threshold stages in retinopathy of prematurity]
M Odehnal1, K Gergelyová, J Korynta
1Dĕtská ocní klinika UK 2. LF a FN v Motole, Praha.
Insights
Optimal screening for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) involves examining infants by the 5th postnatal day or 31st postconception week. Combining postnatal and postconception age provides the most accurate detection of threshold ROP stages.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neonatology
- Pediatrics
Context:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a significant cause of visual impairment in premature infants.
- Early detection of threshold ROP is crucial for timely intervention and prevention of vision loss.
- Current screening protocols vary, necessitating research into optimal timing.
Purpose:
- To retrospectively evaluate examination protocols for 208 children (400 eyes) treated for active ROP.
- To determine the optimal timing for initiating ROP examinations to detect threshold stages in infants of varying maturity.
- To assess the efficacy of combined postnatal and postconception age screening criteria.
Summary:
- No threshold ROP stages were diagnosed before the 5th postnatal day or 31st postconception week.
- The highest incidence of threshold ROP occurred between the 36th and 37th postconception weeks.
- First examinations between the 5th-6th postnatal day or 31st postconception week are sufficient for detecting initial threshold ROP stages.
Impact:
- Screening based on a combination of postnatal and postconception age is more accurate than using a single criterion.
- Premature examinations before 31 postconception weeks are misleading and not valid for effective screening.
- This study provides evidence-based recommendations for optimizing ROP screening protocols to improve infant eye care.
Abstract:
The authors evaluated retrospectively the examination protocols of 208 children (400 eyes) treated by cryocoagulation on account of active retinopathy of premature infants (ROP). The objective was to assess the optimal timing for the onset of examination to record in time the threshold stages of ROP in children with different grades of maturity. The baseline point was the finding that before the 5th postnatal (pnt) and 31st postconception week (pcw) the threshold stage was not diagnosed in any child of the group. The highest incidence of threshold stages in all children was between the 36th and 37th postconception week. The first examination made between the 5th-6th postnatal or at first during the 31st postconception week is sufficient to cover initial threshold stages of ROP in children with different birth weights. Screening based on combination of the postnatal and postconception age is more accurate than evaluation by one criterion. Premature examinations are misleading and not valid for screening.