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Incidence of retinopathy of prematurity over the last decade in the Central Netherlands
A Hoogerwerf1, N E Schalij-Delfos, M J van Schooneveld
1Department of Neonatology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Insights
The incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and severe ROP has significantly decreased in the central Netherlands over a decade, even in premature infants. Key risk factors for ROP remain consistent.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neonatology
- Public Health
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a significant cause of visual impairment in premature infants.
- Changes in ROP incidence and risk factors require ongoing monitoring to inform clinical practice and public health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To retrospectively analyze trends in the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and its severe forms.
- To identify changes in associated risk factors for ROP over two distinct 10-year periods in the central Netherlands.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of ROP screening data from infants admitted between 1991-1995 and 2001-2005.
- Comparison of ROP incidence and severity between the two study periods, stratified by birth weight (<1,000 g and ≥1,000 g).
Main Results:
- Overall ROP incidence decreased from 40.9% to 23.3% (p < 0.001), and severe ROP from 3.3% to 1.2% (p < 0.05).
- In infants with birth weight <1,000 g, ROP incidence dropped significantly (67.0% to 41.8%, p < 0.001), as did severe ROP (8.1% to 3.0%, p < 0.05).
- Gestational age, duration of artificial ventilation, small for gestational age (SGA), and postnatal steroids were consistent independent risk factors for ROP in both periods.
Conclusions:
- The incidence of ROP and severe ROP has significantly declined in the central Netherlands, including in very low birth weight infants.
- Despite the decrease in incidence, the identified risk factors for developing ROP remain unchanged.
Background And Objectives:
To retrospectively analyze changes in incidence and risk factors of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) over two periods, 10 years apart, in the central Netherlands.
Methods:
Data of 570 infants admitted between 2001 and 2005, screened for ROP according to the Dutch National guideline, were compared to those of 538 infants admitted between 1991 and 1995.
Results:
Incidence of ROP decreased significantly over the last decade (40.9% in 1991-1995 vs. 23.3% in 2001-2005, p < 0.001), together with incidence of severe ROP (stage >or=3) (3.3 vs. 1.2%, p < 0.05). In infants with a birth weight (BW) <1,000 g incidence of ROP dropped significantly (67.0 vs. 41.8%, p < 0.001), as well as incidence of severe ROP (8.1 vs. 3.0%, p < 0.05). For infants with a BW >or=1,000 g incidence of ROP also declined significantly (27.1 vs. 13.0%, p < 0.001), that of severe ROP remained unchanged (0.8 vs. 0.3%). In both periods gestational age, duration of artificial ventilation, small for gestational age (SGA) and postnatal steroids were independent risk factors for ROP.
Conclusions:
In the central Netherlands, incidence of ROP and severe ROP has significantly decreased, also in infants with BW <1,000 g. Risk factors remained unchanged.
