Jeddah Retinopathy of Prematurity (JED-ROP) Screening Algorithm

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Neonatology
• Public Health

Background:

• Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) poses a significant risk to premature infants.
• Current screening protocols may lead to over-screening, increasing healthcare burdens.
• The Jeddah retinopathy of prematurity (JED-ROP) algorithm was developed for the Saudi Arabian population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of the JED-ROP algorithm in identifying Type 1 ROP.
• To determine if the JED-ROP algorithm can reduce the number of infants undergoing ROP screening.
• To assess the sensitivity and specificity of the JED-ROP algorithm.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 502 infants' data, including birth weight (BW), gestational age (GA), and postnatal weight gain (PWG).
• Calculation of sensitivity and specificity for detecting Type 1 ROP using the JED-ROP criteria.
• Analysis of perinatal risk factors associated with ROP development.

Main Results:

• The JED-ROP algorithm achieved 100% sensitivity in detecting Type 1 ROP.
• Specific criteria included GA ≤30 weeks, BW <1501 g, and specific postnatal weight gain or blood transfusion parameters.
• The algorithm demonstrated 38.9% specificity for recommending screening.

Conclusions:

• The JED-ROP algorithm significantly reduces the number of infants requiring ROP screening by 35.7%.
• It effectively identifies all Type 1 ROP cases, ensuring timely intervention.
• The JED-ROP algorithm can serve as a valuable adjunct to existing national ROP screening guidelines.