Epidemiology of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in Northwest China: a decade-long retrospective single-center...

This study retrospectively analyzes the epidemiology of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) at a single center to describe incidence trends over the past decade and provide evidence for optimizing ROP screening and treatment. This retrospective database cohort study used the databases from the Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital between 2015 and 2024. The data were stratified into 10 groups according to the screening year (2015-2024) and further categorized into three subgroups based on gestational age (GA): GA <28 weeks, GA ≥28 to <32 weeks, and GA ≥32 weeks. A statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 23.0). A total of 12,640 infants underwent 31,605 screenings (mean 2.44 ± 0.41 per infant). Most screened infants were late preterm (GA ≥32 weeks, 60.42%) or low birth weight (>1,500 to ≤2,500 g, 69.29%). The overall ROP incidence rate was 14.18%, with a treatment-requiring rate of 1.59%. ROP burden decreased markedly with advancing gestational age: for GA <28 weeks, the incidence rate was 72.37% and the treatment-requiring rate was 33.00%; for GA 28-<32 weeks, the rates were 23.04% and 1.39%; for GA ≥32 weeks, the rates were 6.17% and 0.12%. Over the decade, annual screening volume, ROP incidence, and treatment demand showed fluctuating upward trends, suggesting that ROP burden has not declined. Current screening practices appear insufficient. A risk-based strategy is needed: infants with GA <28 weeks require intensive screening, while those with GA ≥32 weeks may safely reduce screening frequency to conserve resources, although ongoing monitoring is warranted given annual fluctuations.