Incidence and main risk factors for severe retinopathy of prematurity in infants weighing less than 1000 grams in Brazil

Abstract

Objectives: This study evaluated the incidence and risk factors for severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in babies <1000 g at Porto Alegre, Brazil.Methods: Prospective cohort study including premature children with birth weight ≤1000 g was conducted. Main outcome was the occurrence of severe ROP needing treatment.Results: A total of 157 infants were included. Severe ROP occurred in 20 infants (12.7%). Nineteen patients were treated by laser photocoagulation. Main risk factors for severe ROP were gestational age (P = 0.029), infant's weight measured at sixth week of life (P < 0.001) and number of days of oxygen therapy under mechanical ventilation (P < 0.001). After logistic regression, infant's weight at sixth week of life and number of days in mechanical ventilation were associated to severe ROP.Conclusions: We reported the incidence of 12.7% of severe ROP among babies born ≤ 1000 g in our institution. Laser photocoagulation was effective to stabilize the disease among 19 treated patients. © The Author [2013]. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.