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Trends in Retinopathy of Prematurity over 12 Years in a Colorado Cohort
Lauren C Mehner1, Brandie D Wagner1,2, Kirk A Bol3
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.
Insights
Severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) rates remained stable in a Colorado infant cohort from 2006-2017. However, low-grade ROP showed a decreasing trend, independent of key risk factors like gestational age and birth weight.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neonatology
- Public Health
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a significant cause of visual impairment in premature infants.
- Understanding temporal trends in ROP and its risk factors is crucial for effective prevention and management strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze trends in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) within a Colorado infant cohort from 2006 to 2017.
- To compare ROP trends and associated risk factors with statewide birth data.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study utilizing ROP registry and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) birth data (2006-2017).
- ROP severity categorized as severe (type 1 or 2), low-grade, or no ROP.
- Generalized linear models used to assess trends in ROP, gestational age, birth weight, and infant mortality.
Main Results:
- In the ROP registry cohort (n=1,267), severe ROP rates showed no significant trend (p=0.23).
- A significant decreasing trend was observed in low-grade ROP rates (p < 0.01).
- Gestational age, birth weight, and mortality rates remained stable in both cohorts.
Conclusions:
- The incidence of severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) did not change significantly over the 12-year study period in the Colorado cohort.
- A decreasing trend in low-grade ROP was identified, which was not attributable to changes in primary risk factors.
- These findings highlight the need for continued surveillance and investigation into factors influencing ROP trends.
Purpose:
To determine trends in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in a Colorado cohort between 2006 and 2017 and compare trends in risk factors between our cohort and statewide data.
Methods:
A retrospective cohort study was conducted by the use of records from two registry databases: 1) an academic center's ROP registry, and 2) vital statistics birth data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). ROP was categorized as severe (type 1 or type 2), low grade (not type 1 or type 2), or no ROP. Other variables included in the analyses were gestational age and birth weight at delivery, and infant mortality. Trends over time were evaluated for both registry databases using generalized linear models.
Results:
In our ROP registry cohort of 1,267 eligible infants, 134 (10.6%) developed severe ROP and 279 (22%) developed low-grade ROP. We found no overall trend in severe ROP rates (p = .23), and a decreasing trend in rates of low-grade ROP (p < .01) over the study period. Trends in gestational age, birth weight, and mortality rates remained stable during the study period in both the ROP registry and the CDPHE cohorts.
Conclusion:
The rate of severe ROP in our ROP registry cohort did not change over time. There was evidence of a decreasing trend in low grade ROP during the 12-year study period that was not explained by a change in the primary ROP risk factors in either the ROP registry cohort or the Colorado statewide data.
