Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 8, 2026
A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
Published on: January 12, 2018
Impact of multiple births on retinopathy of prematurity in preterm infants
Szy Yann Chan1, Chung Ting Pan2, Feng Liu1
1Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing Key Laboratory of Restoration of Damaged Ocular Nerve, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.
Insights
Infants born from multiple births have a higher risk and severity of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). This independent association suggests tailored screening strategies may be needed for these vulnerable preterm infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Ophthalmology
- Perinatal Medicine
Background:
- Multiple births are increasing due to assisted reproductive technologies.
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a significant concern in preterm infants.
- Understanding risks independent of gestational age and birth weight is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the independent impact of multiple birth status on ROP incidence and severity.
- To clarify ROP risks in preterm infants from multiple gestations.
- To inform potential adjustments in ROP screening protocols.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective observational study of 4392 preterm infants screened for ROP (2010-2023).
- Inclusion criteria: gestational age ≤ 32 weeks, birth weight ≤ 2000g, or clinical instability.
- Multivariable logistic regression analyzed ROP predictors, including multiple birth status, gestational age, and birth weight.
Main Results:
- 17.8% of infants were diagnosed with ROP; 37.4% were from multiple births.
- Multiple birth status independently predicted higher ROP incidence (OR=1.51).
- Lower birth weight and multiple birth status significantly predicted increased ROP severity.
Conclusions:
- Multiple birth status is independently associated with increased ROP risk and severity.
- Findings suggest a need for further validation and exploration of tailored screening for multiple-gestation infants.
- Potential implications for optimizing ROP surveillance in high-risk neonatal populations.
Background/Objectives:
To examine how multiple birth status affects the incidence and severity of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in preterm infants. With increasing multiple births associated with assisted reproductive technology, this study seeks to clarify these risks independently of gestational age (GA) and birth weight (BW).
Subjects/Methods:
This retrospective observational study included 4392 preterm infants screened for ROP between 2010 and 2023. Eligibility criteria were GA ≤ 32 weeks, BW ≤ 2000 g, or unstable clinical conditions. ROP screening results, GA, BW, gender, and multiple birth status were analysed using multivariable logistic regression to assess predictors for ROP incidence and severity.
Results:
Among the cohort, 1643 infants (37.4%) were from multiple births, and 780 infants (17.8%) were diagnosed with ROP. Multivariable analysis showed that lower GA (B: -0.063, OR = 0.94), lower BW (B: -0.001, OR = 0.999), and multiple birth status (B: 0.41, OR = 1.51) were independently associated with ROP incidence. For ROP severity, only lower BW (beta: -0.17, B: -0.01) and multiple birth status (beta: 0.08, B: 2.69) were significant.
Conclusions:
Multiple birth status may be independently associated with an increased risk and severity of ROP in preterm infants. These findings warrant further investigation to validate the association and to explore whether infants from multiple gestations might benefit from more tailored screening strategies.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Birth Control Methods
01:19Impact of Groups on Groups
01:30Impact
When particles with different initial velocities collide, they induce deformation by applying equal and opposite impulses. At the point of maximum deformation, the particles move together with...
01:29Drug Dosing: Infants and Children
01:49Multiple Allele Traits
01:28Impact of Groups on Individuals