Incidence and risk factors of retinopathy of prematurity in Palestine: a retrospective cohort study, 2024.

BACKGROUND

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a major, yet preventable, cause of childhood blindness. This study aimed to determine the incidence in Palestine and the risk factors for ROP development.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving 520 preterm infants born between January 2020 and December 2023 in 7 major Palestinian Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) who were screened for ROP. We examined a range of clinical variables from medical records to explore their relationship with the development of the disease.

RESULTS

The incidence of ROP and severe type 1 ROP was 42.9% and 8.8%, respectively. Many risk factors were significant in univariate analysis, such as respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), the duration of mechanical ventilation, the number of blood transfusions needed, and the need for supplemental oxygen at 28 days. However, only lower gestational age (OR, 10.4; 95% CI, 3.66-29.9; p < 0.001), lower birth weight (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.3-4.7; p = 0.006), lower postmenstrual age at the time of diagnosis, and multiple gestations were significant in multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

ROP is a significant problem in Palestine, with a relatively higher incidence than in neighboring countries. Considering the statistically significant variables in the clinical practice will prevent missing severe cases that may progress to blindness.