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[Risk factors in retinopathy of prematurity]
J L Olea Vallejo1, F J Corretger Ruhi, M Salvat Serra
1Servicio de Oftalmología, Hospital Son Dureta, Palma de Mallorca.
Insights
Low birth weight is the primary independent risk factor for acute retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in preterm infants. While gestational age and oxygen exposure influence ROP, birth weight remains the most critical predictor.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Ophthalmology
- Perinatal Medicine
- Pediatric Critical Care
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a significant cause of visual impairment in premature infants.
- Identifying risk factors for ROP is crucial for timely intervention and prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the potential risk factors associated with the development of acute retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study analyzed preterm infants with birth weights < 1,501 g.
- Indirect ophthalmoscopy was performed every 15 days.
- Fifteen potential risk factors were assessed using statistical tests and logistic regression.
Main Results:
- 26.2% of infants with birth weight ≤ 1,500 g developed acute ROP.
- Birth weight, gestational age, blood transfusion, mechanical ventilation, and oxygen exposure (FiO2) were significantly associated with ROP (p < 0.05).
- Low birth weight was identified as the sole independent risk factor for ROP.
Conclusions:
- Acute retinopathy of prematurity has a multifactorial etiology.
- Low gestational age and oxygen administration influence ROP development.
- Low birth weight is the most significant independent risk factor for ROP.
Objective:
The objective of this study was to determine the potential risk factors in acute retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
Patients And Methods:
A retrospective study of preterm infants with birth weights less than 1,501 g, or more if mechanical ventilation and oxygen administration were needed, was carried out. Indirect ophthalmoscopy (mydriasis) with indentation was done every 15 days from the fourth week. Fifteen factors were analyzed. Statistically significant differences between the groups with and without ROP were sought with Fisher's exact probability test, two-sample t-test, and the chi-square contingency-table. A logistic regression was done.
Results:
Thirty-six of the 137 infants examined (26.2%) with birth weight < or = 1,500 g had acute ROP. Only 7.1% of the infants with birth weights > or = 1,501 g had retinopathy. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) in the following variables: birth weight, gestational age, blood transfusion, mechanical ventilation, FiO2 (fraction inspired oxygen) maximum, time of FiO2 > or = 0.60 (hours) and time of FiO2 > or = 0.21 (days). However, the birth-weight was the only independent risk factor related to ROP.
Conclusions:
Retinopathy of the premature has a multifactorial etiology. The low gestational age and the oxygen had influence on ROP; however, low birth weight was the independent risk factor.
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