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Analysis of risk factors for retinopathy of prematurity
Wen-Lin Li1, Li He, Xi-Hua Liu
1Department of Ophthalmology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen 518026, Guangdong Province, China.
Insights
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) affects 10.7% of premature infants. Key risk factors include short gestational age, low birth weight, prolonged oxygen use, severe illness, and being a twin.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neonatology
- Pediatric Medicine
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a significant cause of visual impairment in premature infants.
- Early identification and management of ROP are crucial for preventing vision loss.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of ROP in a cohort of premature infants.
- To identify significant risk factors associated with the development of ROP.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 568 premature infants (birth weight ≤ 2500g or gestational age ≤ 34 weeks) from September 2005 to December 2010.
- Ophthalmic examinations using indirect binocular ophthalmoscopy.
Main Results:
- ROP incidence was 10.7%; severe ROP (stage 3+) occurred in 2.5% of infants.
- Risk factors included short gestational age, low birth weight, prolonged oxygen therapy, and severe infant diseases.
- Twins exhibited a higher ROP incidence (18.3%) and severity compared to singletons (9.8%).
Conclusions:
- Short gestational age, low birth weight, prolonged oxygen inhalation, severe infant diseases, and non-singleton status are significant risk factors for ROP.
- These findings underscore the importance of vigilant screening and management in high-risk premature infants.
Aim:
To analyze the incidence and risk factors for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
Methods:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on 568 premature infants from September 2005 to December 2010 with birth weight(BW) equal to or less than 2 500g or a gestational age(GA) at birth of 34 weeks or less. All of the members were examined by indirect binocular ophthalmoscopy.
Results:
ROP occurred with an incidence rate of 10.7% among 568 premature infants, and stages 3 and above ROP occurred with an incidence rate of 2.5%. This study showed the infants were more prone to develop ROP with short geststional age, low BW, long time of oxygen inhalation, and severe infants diseases. Twins had a significantly higher rate of ROP(18.3%) than singleton babies(9.8%), ROP were severer in twins than singleton babies.
Conclusion:
Short GA, low BW, long time of oxygen inhalation, severe infants diseases, and non-singleton babies were the most significant risk factors associated with ROP.
