Analysis of risk factors for retinopathy of prematurity

AIM: To analyze the incidence and risk factors for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 568 premature infants from September 2005 to December 2010 with birth weight (BW) equal to or less than 2 500g or a gestational age (GA) at birth of 34 weeks or less. All of the members were examined by indirect binocular ophthalmoscopy. RESULTS: ROP occurred with an incidence rate of 10.7% among 568 premature infants, and stages 3 and above ROP occurred with an incidence rate of 2.5%. This study showed the infants were more prone to develop ROP with short geststional age, low BW, long time of oxygen inhalation, and severe infants diseases. Twins had a significantly higher rate of ROP (18.3%) than singleton babies (9.8%), ROP were severer in twins than singleton babies. CONCLUSION: Short GA, low BW, long time of oxygen inhalation, severe infants diseases, and non-singleton babies were the most significant risk factors associated with ROP.