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[Retinopathy of prematurity: risk factors analysis]
Ewa Ortyl1, Ryszard Lauterbach, Maria Starzycka
1Katedra i Klinika Okulistyki Collegium Medicum Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego, 31-501 Kraków, ul. Kopernika 38.
Insights
Identifying premature infants at high risk for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is crucial. Key risk factors include low birth weight, early gestational age, low Apgar scores, and prolonged oxygen exposure.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal ophthalmology
- Perinatal medicine
- Public health
Context:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a significant cause of visual impairment in premature infants.
- Early identification of risk factors is essential for timely intervention.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the potential risk factors associated with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
- To identify specific indicators that predict the severity of ROP in neonates.
Summary:
- A study of 231 premature infants identified birth weight, gestational age, Apgar score at one minute, and duration of oxygen exposure as key risk factors for ROP.
- Infants with gestational age <28 weeks, birth weight <1000g, and Apgar score ≤3 were at highest risk.
- Prolonged oxygen therapy (>25 days) increased the likelihood of severe ROP, while shorter exposure (<5 days) was associated with no ROP.
Impact:
- This research aids in identifying neonates at high risk for ROP.
- Facilitates early and systematic ophthalmological care for vulnerable infants.
- Contributes to strategies for preventing vision loss in premature babies.
Purpose:
The study aimed at evaluating potential risk factors of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
Material And Methods:
Two-hundred and thirty-one premature infants were divided into 3 groups, according to the stage of ROP: group A consisted of 68 infants who underwent cryotherapy for severe ROP, group B of 45 with ROP regressed spontaneously, and group C of 118 premature infants without ROP. Risk factors were identified based on the medical records of the infants and interview with mothers. Data were subjected to statistical analyses using logistic regression model.
Results:
The analysis identified four main risk factors of ROP: birth weight, gestational age, Apgar score at one minute, and time of oxygen exposure. The probability of qualifying an infant to group A is the highest for those with gestational age less than 28 weeks, birth weights below 1000 g, and Apgar score up to 3 points. The infants with gestational age over 31 weeks, birth weight over 1500 g, and Apgar score higher than 6 points were included in group C. In case of oxygen therapy over 25 days, the infants are highly probable to be included into group A. However, in case of the oxygen therapy les than 5 days, infants can be assigned to group C.
Conclusions:
The evaluation of the role of the individual risk factors can be helpful in identifying neonates at high risk of ROP, and including them in the early and systematic ophthalmological care.