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Clinical Characteristics and Predictive Features of Neonates With Treatment-Needed Retinopathy of Prematurity: A
Nasser Shoeibi1, Fereshteh Raoufi1, Majid Abrishami1
1Eye Research Center Mashhad University of Medical Sciences Mashhad Iran.
Insights
Lower birth weight, lower gestational age, and longer NICU stays increase the need for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) treatment. Maternal gestational hypertension was linked to lower ROP prevalence.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neonatology
- Public Health
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a significant cause of visual impairment in premature infants.
- Several risk factors for ROP have been identified, but predictors for treatment necessity require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify neonatal and maternal risk factors associated with the increased need for treatment in infants diagnosed with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study reviewed medical records of premature infants referred to a tertiary ROP clinic in northeast Iran (July 2014 - June 2022).
- Analysis focused on probable neonatal and maternal risk factors correlating with the requirement for ROP treatment.
Main Results:
- Out of 9692 referred neonates, 47.8% had ROP. Treatment was required for 4.4% of referred infants.
- Lower gestational age (GA), lower birth weight (BW), and longer neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) length of stay were significant predictors for ROP treatment.
- The prevalence of ROP was notably lower in infants whose mothers had gestational hypertension.
Conclusions:
- Lower birth weight, lower gestational age, and extended NICU hospitalization are significant predictors for developing ROP requiring treatment.
- Maternal gestational hypertension may have a protective effect against ROP development or the need for treatment.
Background:
Several variables have been identified as risk factors for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). This study evaluated the risk factors associated with the increased need for treatment in infants with ROP.
Methods:
In this longitudinal study, the medical records of premature infants referred to the ROP clinic of a tertiary referral center in northeast Iran between July 2014 and June 2022 were reviewed. Probable neonatal and maternal risk factors for the need for treatment were analyzed.
Results:
Of the 9692 referred neonates, 4634 (47.8%) were diagnosed with any stage of ROP. The majority (53%, n = 4141) were male. The mean gestational age (GA) was 32.71 ± 2.52 weeks, and the mean birth weight (BW) was 1812 ± 501 g. 427 (4.4%) of 9692 referred infants were treated. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, lower gestational age (OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.53-0.79; p < 0.001), lower birth weight (OR, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.68-0.93; p < 0.001), and longer length of stay in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.55-1.63; p < 0.001) were significantly associated with the need for treatment.
Conclusion:
We showed that lower birth weight, lower gestational age, and more extended NICU hospitalization were significant predictors of the development of ROP and treatment-needed ROP. Besides, the prevalence of ROP was significantly lower among patients with maternal gestational hypertension.
