How Race and Birthweight May Influence Gender Differences in Retinopathy of Prematurity
1Alaska Blind Child Discovery, Alaska Children's EYE & Strabismus, 3500 Latouche #280, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA.
Insights
More males are screened and treated for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), but treatment rates are similar across genders. However, this male predominance reverses in infants under 600g birthweight, with race also influencing ROP treatment.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neonatology
- Pediatric Care
Background:
- Utilized clinical data from 28 American hospitals (2010-2024) via ROP Check® software.
- Included infants across diverse races and ethnicities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze gender, race, and birthweight influences on retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening and treatment.
- Investigate disparities in ROP management based on demographic factors.
Main Methods:
- Compared gender to treatment status, race, birthweight (BW), and gestational age (GA).
- Analyzed gestational age at first treatment for ROP.
Main Results:
- 7070 infants analyzed; 386 received ROP treatment.
- Males comprised 54.3% of treated infants but showed similar gestational age and treatment age.
- Males had higher birthweights; females predominated treatment in infants <600g BW. Race influenced birthweights in treated infants.
Conclusions:
- Males are more frequently screened and treated for ROP, yet treatment rates are comparable between genders.
- The male preponderance in ROP treatment reverses for infants with birthweight below 600g.
- Racial factors demonstrate an influence on treated retinopathy of prematurity.
Background:
ROP Check® monitoring and documentation software from 28 American hospitals collected clinical data from 2010 to 2024 representing infants from a wide range of races and ethnicities.
Methods:
De-identified data compared gender to treatment status, race, birthweight (BW), gestational age (GA) and gestational age at first treatment.
Results:
From 7070 total patients, with 5060 having timely or early initial exams based on American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines, 386 had treatment for ROP. Males constituted 54.3% of treated infants and 54.4% of all infants. There was no gender difference in gestational age or age at treatment, but males had greater birthweights (685 to 610 g). There were more females treated under 600 g. There were race-related birthweight differences in infants treated for ROP.
Conclusion:
There are more males screened and treated for ROP, but treatment rates are similar for both genders. Male preponderance reverses for infants with birthweight less than 600 g. Race has an influence on treated ROP.
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