Analysis of 218 cases of retinopathy of prematurity

Objective To explore the risk factors and morbidity of retinopathy of prematurity(ROP) and eva-luate the appropriateness of the ROP screening criteria set by Ministry of Health in 2004. Methods Two hundred and eighteen premature infants conforming to the criteria set by Ministry of Health in 2004, who were hospitalized in West China Second Hospital from Feb.2011 to Feb.2012, were enrolled, and they underwent ophthalmologic examination.The results were analyzed and compared according to criteria recommended by the United Kingdom(weight≤1500 g or gestational age≤31 weeks). Results In the 218 premature infants, 11(5.0%) cases had developed ROP.Between the groups of ROP and the contrast, the Apgar scores were 8.60±1.78 and 9.53±0.98, and the cases of patients with respiratory distress syndrome were 6 cases and 33 cases respectively, while the cases of patients with long-term oxygen therapy were 8 cases and 44 cases, the cases of patients with mechanical ventilation were 6 cases and 23 cases, while the cases of patients with transfusion therapy were 6 cases and 53 cases, respectively.And there were significant diffe-rences between the two groups(all P<0.05). There would have been 7 cases of ROP to be missed if the screening had been done in according to British guidelines. Conclusions There is a possible association between low Apgar scores, long-term oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation and the incidence of ROP.The ROP screening criteria set by Ministry of Health in 2004 is practical for ROP screening in our region in China.ROP screening should also be done for the premature infants who had unstable clinical course, and respiratory distress syndrome in particular. Key words: Retinopathy of prematurity; Risk factor; Prematurity screening