[Retinopathy of prematurity--screening results].

OBJECTIVE

Analysis of the results of screening for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in a sample of prematurely born babies evaluated in the Institute for Mother and Child Care, between September 2002 - 31st December 2007.

MATERIALS AND METHOD: A data base of premies screened for retinopathy of prematurity in our clinic and also those referred sporadically from different neonatal units from other towns (1783 babies) was set up, and this was used to analyze aspects referring to the ROP incidence, as well as outcomes of laser treatment.

RESULTS

A total of 1783 preterm babies were examined, overall incidence of ROP was 55%. Gestational age (GA) and birth weight (BW) are important factors associated with an increased risk of ROP). Of the 981 premies with various stages of ROF 124 (12.6%) had GA 32 - 34 weeks and 264/981 (26,1%) had BW 1500 - 2000g. 272/1783 (15.2%) had severe ROP which required laser photocoagulation. Favourable outcomes of laser photocoagulation was obtained in 86.7% of the total sample, with significant differences between those with zone II ROP vs those with zone I ROP (93.3% vs 76.9%, p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

ROP incidence in Romania is, for the time being, much higher than that reported in the developed countries. We believe that, at present, in our country the ROP inclusion screening criteria should be extended to GA < or = 34 weeks and/or BW < or = 2000g. Short term results of laser photocoagulation are similar to those reported in developed countries. In order to achieve a significant reduction in childhood blindness determined by ROP the current screening and treatment programme needs to be extended to the entire country.