[Epidemiology of retinopathy of prematurity in public services from Argentina during 2008]
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Celia C Lomuto1, Lidia Galina, Marina Brussa
1Grupo de Trabajo Colaborativo Multicéntrico, Prevención de la ceguera en la infancia por retinopatía del prematuro, Dirección de Maternidad e Infancia, Ministerio de Salud de la Nación. clomuto44@yahoo.com.ar
Insights
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) rates remain high in Argentinian public hospitals, with no improvement from 2007 to 2008. Enhanced screening and treatment access are crucial for preventing ROP in preterm infants.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neonatology
- Public Health
Background:
- Increasing survival of preterm newborns contributes to high rates of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
- Current care deficits exacerbate ROP incidence, particularly in infants with higher birth weight (BW) and gestational age (GA).
- Unusual cases (UC) and missed opportunities (MO) for ROP management are frequently reported.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the epidemiology of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in 2008 and compare it with the previous year.
- To analyze ROP incidence, screening practices, and treatment requirements in a large cohort of preterm infants.
Main Methods:
- An observational, descriptive, and retrospective study was conducted.
- Data were collected from 31 public health services across 20/24 provinces in Argentina.
- Included preterm infants with BW < 1,500 g or GA ≤ 32 weeks, and those with BW ≥ 1,500 g or GA 33-36 weeks who received oxygen therapy.
Main Results:
- Screening for ROP was performed in 90% of 84,200 newborns, but was late in 6% of cases.
- Neonatal discharge before complete ROP screening occurred in 93% of infants.
- The overall ROP rate was 11.93%, significantly higher (26.25%) in infants < 1,500 g BW. Treatment was required in 2.60% of cases.
Conclusions:
- The incidence of ROP in Argentinian public hospitals is a significant concern.
- ROP rates in 2008 showed no improvement compared to 2007, indicating a need for consolidated prevention criteria.
- There is a critical need to improve ROP screening and access to timely treatment for affected infants.
Introduction:
Increasing survival of preterm newborns and current care deficits result in high rates of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), affecting patients with higher birth weight (BW) and gestational age (GA) than those at developed countries; unusual cases (UC) and missed opportunities (MO) are reported.
Objective:
To describe epidemiology of ROP during 2008 compared with the previous year. POPULATION, MATERIAL AND METHOD: Observational, descriptive and retrospective study.
Population:
Preterm babies with BW < 1,500 g and/or < or = 32 w GA and > or = 1,500 g and/or 33-36 w who received oxygen therapy.
Source:
31 public services from 20/24 Provinces.
Variables:
BW, GA, ophthalmologic screening, age at 1st control, ROP Grade, treatment requirement, place of treatment and time of complete ROP screening.
Results:
Responses were obtained from 24/31 services from 16 Provinces (84,200 newborns) identifying 3,371 newborns at risk, 956 < 1,500 g BW. Screening was done in 90%; it was late in 6%. Neonatal discharge before complete ROP screening occurred in 93%. ROP rate was 11.93%; 26.25% in < 1,500 g BW. Treatment was required at 2.60%; of them, 7% were < 1,500 g BW; 20.3% were UC, one infant was a MO. Treatment need increased 20% at 2008 vs. 2007, without significant difference. Changes were not observed at median BW and GA and UC. Treatment in situ was 75% in 2008, similar to 2007.
Conclusions:
Incidence of ROP in public hospitals of Argentina is worrisome. Rates in 2008 have not improved compared with 2007, expressing that criteria for prevention are not yet consolidated. Screening and access to treatment must improve.
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