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Regressed retinopathy of prematurity in children aged 5-10 years
J E Gallo1, G Holmström, U Kugelberg
1Department of Ophthalmology, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge University Hospital, Sweden.
Insights
Preterm infants born before 33 weeks or under 1500g experienced significant rates of regressed retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Many required ophthalmology follow-up, highlighting the need for continued monitoring of these high-risk children.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neonatology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a significant cause of visual impairment in premature infants.
- Long-term sequelae of ROP require ongoing surveillance in at-risk populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the prevalence and outcomes of regressed retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and its sequelae.
- To assess ocular complications in preterm infants with specific birth criteria.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of preterm infants (birth weight < 1500g and/or < 33 weeks gestational age) born in Stockholm (1976-1981).
- Re-examination of children aged 5-10 years with available fundus information.
- Categorization of ROP severity (moderate, severe) and assessment of visual acuity.
Main Results:
- 25.4% of eligible preterm infants required ophthalmology care.
- Moderate and severe regressed ROP detected in 48 and 13 children, respectively.
- Severe ROP occurred in 2.5% of the cohort; 0.4% were blind from ROP.
- Infants with birth weight < 1000g showed the highest ROP and ocular complication rates.
Conclusions:
- Preterm infants, especially those with very low birth weight, frequently experience ocular complications, including ROP.
- Close and continued ophthalmological follow-up is essential for preterm infants to manage ROP and its sequelae.
Abstract:
Regressed retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and its sequelae has been analysed in pre-term born children with a birth weight < 1500 g and/or < 33 weeks of gestational age, born in Stockholm during 1976-81. At the age of 5-10 years, we found that 134 of 528 preterm born children (25.4%) had been at departments of ophthalmology in Stockholm for various reasons. These children were re-examined and a good eye fundus information could be obtained in 105. Moderate and severe regressed ROP was found in 48 and 13 children, respectively. In the Stockholm area the frequency of children with severe ROP (earlier called cicatricial ROP) was 2.5% out of the above risk group of 528. Two children were blind from ROP (0.4%). Ten children had a visual acuity < or = 0.3 in the worse eye (1.9%) and 7 of them had ROP changes. Children with a birth weight < 1000 g had the highest frequency of ROP (severe 11.6% and moderate 18.6%) and ocular complications. The results show that preterm born children often present ocular complications, and therefore they need a close follow-up.