Retinopathy of prematurity in neonate weighing less than 1 500 g

INTRODUCTION: Retinopathy of prematurity (RP) is a neovascular retinopathy developing in the 84% of premature infants. It is proportional in inverse order to weight and to gestational age and its frequent in an infant weighing less than 1500 g. The aim of present research was to know the prematurity retinopathy incidence in neonates weighing less than 1500 g, s well as some related factors. METHODS: A longitudinal and prospective study was conducted including 31 neonates weighing less than 1500 g, admitted in neonatal intensive care unit of the "Ivan Portuondo "Hospital from January, 2004 to December, 2008. Those deceased weren't included. In all the cases authors carried out screening of RP, taking into account the sex and a gestational age lower than 36 weeks. Some risk factors for RP were assessed. RESULTS: RP was present in the 25,8% of the 31 neonates: the 6,5% with RP I and RP II, the 9,7% with RP III and the 3,2% with RP IV. We found immature retina in the 74,2% of patients. The 9,7 of cases and the patients with IV degree underwent surgical treatment using Laser rays. There was a greater incidence in male sex and related factors (respiratory failure and ventilation in the 75% of cases. CONCLUSION: RP incidence was low compared with the results from other studies.