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Retinopathy of prematurity, frequency and risk factors in very low birth weight infants
María A Rivera-Rueda1, Luis A Fernández-Carrocera2, Manuel B Salgado-Valladares3
1Departamento de Seguimiento Pediátrico, Ciudad de México, México.
Insights
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a major cause of childhood blindness. This study found lower birth weight and gestational age, plus longer ventilation and oxygen use, are key risk factors in very low birth weight infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal ophthalmology
- Perinatal medicine
- Public health
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a leading cause of childhood blindness.
- Premature infants, especially those with very low birth weight, are at high risk for ROP.
- Understanding ROP frequency and risk factors is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of ROP in very low birth weight infants.
- To identify perinatal and neonatal risk factors associated with ROP development.
- To compare ROP incidence with previous findings in the Mexican population.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study design was employed, comparing infants with ROP to those without.
- Infants with a birth weight under 1500 grams were included in the analysis.
- Statistical analyses included chi-squared tests, Student's t-tests, and Mann-Whitney U-tests.
Main Results:
- Out of 282 neonates, 152 (53.9%) had ROP. Lower birth weight (902.7g vs. 1037.9g) and shorter gestational age (28.2 vs. 29.6 weeks) were significant risk factors.
- Increased ventilation days (32.8 vs. 16.1) and oxygen exposure (87.7 vs. 62.6 days) were also significantly associated with ROP.
- Bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage, and late-onset sepsis were more frequent in neonates with ROP.
Conclusions:
- The observed ROP frequency was higher than previously reported in Mexico, though severe ROP cases were fewer.
- Neonatal surveillance for ROP is essential in premature infants, particularly those with low birth weight and gestational age.
- Early detection and management strategies are vital to reduce ROP incidence and prevent childhood blindness.
Background:
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is the principal cause of blindness during childhood. The objective of this study was to analyze the frequency of ROP and risk factors associated with ROP in a cohort of very low birth weight infants.
Methods:
A cases (ROP) and controls (no ROP) study of infants less than 1500 g was conducted. Perinatal and neonatal variables were analyzed. For the statistical analysis, χ2 test, Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney's U-test were used.
Results:
For the study, 282 neonates were included: 152 (53.9%) with ROP and 130 (46.1%) without ROP. The most frequent stages observed were stage 1 and 2, with 139 (91.4%) patients, and stages 3 to 5, with only 13 patients (8.5%). In those neonates with ROP compared with neonates without ROP, the birth weight was less (902.7 vs. 1037.9 g) and the difference was significant (p < 0.0001). Also, the difference with gestational age (28.2 vs. 29.6; p < 0.0001), total ventilation days (32.8 vs. 16.1; p < 0.00001) and total oxygen days (87.7 vs. 62.6; p < 0.0001) was significant in neonates with ROP and neonates without the disease. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage and late onset sepsis were significant with patients with ROP.
Conclusions:
The frequency of ROP reported here is higher than the reported in Mexican population, with less cases of severe ROP. The neonatal surveillance in babies with less birth weight and gestational age is important to decrease the incidence of ROP.
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