Retinopathy of prematurity in infants with birth weights greater than 1250 grams.

PURPOSE: To determine whether severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) occurs in infants whose birth weights exceed 1250 g.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 1118 premature infants with birth weights > 1250 g, who were referred for screening examinations for ROP, to determine the severity of ROP observed. We then cross-tabulated these data with each infant's estimated gestational age and birth weight. Finally, we applied currently recommended screening guidelines retrospectively to determine whether they would have identified infants who had developed severe disease and who were subsequently treated.

RESULTS

Stage 3 ROP was detected in infants with estimated gestational ages up to and including 32 weeks and birth weights up to and including 1874 g. A total of 26 of the participants received laser treatment for threshold ROP. Seven of these infants would not have been referred for screening according to current guidelines.

CONCLUSIONS

Current screenings guidelines may fail to detect severe ROP in larger, more mature infants.