Risk factors associated with avascular fibrous membrane in patients with retinopathy of prematurity.

PURPOSE: We sought to assess the risk factors associated with avascular fibrous membrane development in patients with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

METHODS

This retrospective, cross-sectional study included premature infants diagnosed with ROP. Gestational age, birth weight, stage and zone of the ROP, the presence of plus disease, and laser photocoagulation (LP) application were noted for each patient. Location, extension, development time, vanishing time of the avascular fibrous membrane, and associated complications were also noted. Patients who developed avascular fibrous membrane formed the membrane group (n = 38) and those who did not develop avascular fibrous membrane formed the control group (n = 208).

RESULTS

Mean gestational age and birth weight did not differ between the groups (p = 0.897 and p = 0.343). ROP developed significantly earlier in the control group than in the membrane group (p < 0.001). The patients in the control group underwent LP treatment significantly earlier than did patients in the membrane group (p < 0.001). Regression analysis showed that higher postmenstrual age at the time of ROP diagnosis increased the risk of avascular fibrous membrane development by up to 1.6-fold (p = 0.002; 95% CI 1.2-2.3) and later LP treatment was associated with a 3.3-fold increased risk of avascular fibrous membrane development (p = 0.003; 95% CI 1.5-7.3).

CONCLUSIONS

Late-onset ROP and later LP treatment were found to be associated with an increased risk of avascular fibrous membrane development in patients with ROP.