Incidence and risk factors for retinopathy of prematurity: A hospital-based study in Iran.

BACKGROUND

To determine the incidence and risk factors for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in Razi Hospital, the only reference centre in South Khorasan Province, Birjand, Iran from 2019 to 2022.

METHODS

In this retrospective cross-sectional study, medical records of all premature infants were reviewed and data extracted on ROP findings and maternal and postnatal risk factors. Logistic regression was used to evaluate risk factors for ROP.

RESULTS

180 infants with gestational age (GA) < 34 weeks or birth weight (BW) ≤2000 grams (g), or larger, more mature infants with other risk factors for ROP, were included in the study. 55 infants (30.5%) developed ROP of any severity; most had stage 1 (54%) and zone 2 (55%) ROP. The mean GA and BW of infants with ROP were 30.4 ± 2.5 weeks and 1324.2 ± 308.2 g, respectively. In logistic regression analysis, factors statistically associated with ROP were GA (Odds ratio (OR): 1.28 (95% CI: 1.14 to 1.44), p < 0.001), BW (OR: 1.00 (95% CI: 1.00 to 1.00), p < 0.001), oxygen therapy (OR: 0.56 (95% CI: 0.34 to 0.92), p = 0.022), and sepsis (OR: 0.12 (95% CI: 0.02 to 0.78), p = 0.026). None of the maternal risk factors were associated with ROP.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of 30.5% for ROP in this study is similar to reports from other studies in the region. The most important risk factors were GA, BW, oxygen therapy, and sepsis.