Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026
Monitoring Dynamic Growth of Retinal Vessels in Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy Mouse Model
Published on: April 2, 2021
[Tests of screening criteria for retinopathy of prematurity]
Maja Olujić1, Ana Oros, Aleksandra Bregun Doronjski
1Medicinski fakultet Novi Sad, Klinikki centar Vojvodine, Novi Sad.
Insights
Screening criteria for retinopathy of prematurity can be adjusted. A study found that applying a 37/2000 criterion for premature infants prevented blindness without excluding any cases.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neonatology
- Public Health
Context:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a leading cause of blindness in premature infants.
- Effective screening programs are crucial for early detection and intervention.
- Neonatal care standards influence ROP-related blindness rates.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the impact of modified screening criteria for retinopathy of prematurity.
- To determine if adjusted criteria could maintain comprehensive coverage for premature infants.
- To assess the effectiveness of a specific screening threshold (37/2000) in preventing ROP-related blindness.
Summary:
- A prospective study analyzed 191 premature infants over two years (2007-2008).
- Different inclusion criteria for ROP screening were tested.
- A screening criterion of 37/2000 (gestational age/birth weight) identified all infants who developed blindness, preventing any cases.
Impact:
- The findings suggest that screening criteria for ROP can be refined.
- Adjusted criteria may optimize resource allocation while ensuring no infant is missed.
- This research supports cautious adjustments to ROP screening protocols.
Introduction:
Retinopathy of prematurity is a disease of the eye, i.e. the retinal blood vessels, which occurs exclusively in premature infants. The level of blindness in one country depends on the level of development of neonatal care and the opportunities to implement screening. The aim of this study was to examine the possibilities of changing screening criteria, provided that not a single child was left out from the survey.
Material And Methods:
A two-year prospective study, which was carried out in the period from January 1st 2007 to December 31st 2008, included 191 premature infants who were treated at the Institute for Child and Youth Healthcare of Vojvodina.
Results:
Different inclusion criteria regarding body mass and gestational age were applied for screening retinopathy of prematurity and we assessed the coverage of the sample if certain screening criteria were applied. According to the results of the research, when the applied screening criterion was 37/2000, there was not a single case of a blind, prematurely born baby.
Discussion:
Great migrations of population as well as big differences in characteristics of premature infants together with underlying multi-factor diseases besides retinopathy of prematurity send a warning signal to be very cautious.
Conclusion:
Although this study has given ground to shift the limits of screening, we will adhere to broad screening criteria.
