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Retinopathy of prematurity. Where to set screening limits? Recommendations based on two Danish surveys
1Department of Ophthalmology, Centralsygehuset, Hillerød, Denmark.
Insights
To detect all serious cases of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), screening should include infants born at or after 32 weeks gestational age or weighing at least 1,750 grams. This ensures comprehensive identification and management of ROP, preventing blindness.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neonatology
- Public Health
Background:
- Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) is a significant cause of visual impairment in premature infants.
- Early detection and intervention are crucial for preventing severe visual outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine optimal screening criteria for Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP).
- To establish gestational age and birthweight thresholds for comprehensive ROP detection.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of two Danish surveys encompassing nationwide visually impaired cases (1971-1988) and a county-based epidemiological study (1982-1987).
- Inclusion of 142 nationwide cases and 411 infants at risk in the epidemiological study.
Main Results:
- A total of 63 infants developed ROP in the epidemiological study.
- Six infants experienced blindness due to ROP, highlighting the need for effective screening.
Conclusions:
- Screening for Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) should extend to infants born at a gestational age of 32 weeks or later and/or with a birthweight of 1,750 grams or higher.
- These screening limits ensure detection of all serious ROP cases for timely follow-up and treatment.
Abstract:
If all cases of serious ROP are to be detected, followed, and possibly treated, and the entire natural history of ROP to be recognized, screening limits should be set at no lower than gestational age 32 weeks and/or birthweight 1,750 g. These recommendations are based on the experience gained from two Danish surveys: cases registered as visually impaired (compulsory), from the whole country, covering the birth years 1971-88 (n = 142), and an epidemiological study from a Danish county comprising 411 infants considered at risk in 1982-1987; 63 infants developed ROP, eventually resulting in blindness in 6 of them.