Evaluation of Oxygen Supplementation Status as a Risk Factor Associated with the Development of Severe Retinopathy of Prematurity.

PURPOSE: The effects of oxygen supplementation status and other clinical risk factors on the development of severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) were evaluated.

METHODS

Clinical records of 143 newborn infants with a gestational age of 32 weeks or less were reviewed. Severe ROP was diagnosed when photocoagulation due to progression to stage 3 was identified or when 'plus disease' developed. The factors were evaluated with univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses between the groups with severe (n = 24) and non-severe (n = 119) ROP.

RESULTS

Gestational age, birth weight, duration of oxygen supplementation, duration of directional positive air pressure and maximum fraction of inspiratory oxygen (FiO2) were significantly associated with severe ROP in the univariate analyses. In the multivariate analysis, a longer duration of oxygen supplementation and a higher maximum FiO2 were revealed as significant risk factors associated with severe ROP.

CONCLUSIONS

Duration of oxygen supplementation and maximum FiO2 required were important factors associated with severe ROP.