[Predictive factors for retinopathy of prematurity in a hospital from Bajío]

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a disease that affects the blood vessels of the retina in premature infants (PTIs) and is one of the leading causes of preventable childhood blindness.

To analyze the predictive factors for retinopathy of prematurity in a hospital in the Bajío region of Mexico.

Analytical cross-sectional study. PTIs with a gestational age (GA) ≤ 34 weeks and/or birth weight (BW) ≤ 1750 g, and PTIs with a GA > 34 weeks and BW ≥ 1750 g who had an unstable clinical course were included. Demographic and clinical data were collected, as well as retinal examination results.

148 PTIs were analyzed. The main factors associated with ROP were gestational age < 30 weeks (odds ratio [OR] 3.59, p 0.0002), birth weight < 1000 g (OR 4.50, p <0.0001), patent ductus arteriosus with hemodynamic compromise (PDA HS) (OR 2.88, p 0.01), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) (OR 7.04, p <0.0001), intravenous hemorrhage (IVH) grade ≥ III (OR 5.55, p 0.02), late-onset sepsis (OR 2.28, p 0.02), and red blood cell transfusion (OR 2.6, p 0.01). Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) was also associated with ROP (OR 0.22, p 0.01). Oxygen therapy ≥ 52 days and invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) ≥ 11 days were determinants for ROP (AUC 0.60 and 0.74, p < 0.0001).

Factors associated with ROP were GA < 30 weeks, BW < 1000 g, as well as PDA HS, stage III HIV infection, late-onset sepsis, and red blood cell transfusion.