Incidence of retinopathy of prematurity and risk factors among premature infants at a neonatal intensive care unit in Canada.

PURPOSE: To study the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in a neonatal intensive care unit and obtain information on risk factors associated with ROP.

METHODS

Four hundred twenty-three infants were screened for ROP between July 2006 and July 2010. Demographic information, clinical data, and risk factors were reviewed.

RESULTS

The incidence was 40.4% (171 infants) for ROP, 9.2% (39 infants) for severe ROP, and 5.67% (24 infants) for laser treatment. Mean gestational age and birth weight were significantly lower among infants with ROP versus those without ROP (26 ± 0.13 vs 28.55 ± 0.12 weeks, P < .0001 and 840.5 ±17.49 vs 1,190.24 ± 20.20 g, P < .0001, respectively). Birth weight (P < .001), gestational age (P < .001), mechanical ventilation therapy (P = .039), and necrotizing enterocolitis (P = .019) were independent risk factors for ROP.

CONCLUSION

Gestational age and birth weight were the most significant risk factors for developing ROP. The study population had an elevated percentage of infants with birth weight less than 1,000 g (extremely low birth weight), yet there was no corresponding increase in severe ROP incidence and treatment when compared to other studies.