Retinopathy Screening of Premature Neonates Born at Gestational Age ۳۲-۳۶ Weeks

Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) may cause decreased visual acuity and even blindness. This study aimed to extend ROP screening to late-premature neonates. Methods: The study evaluated the results of ROP screening in premature neonates with gestational age (GA) of ۳۲-۳۶ weeks and six days in Tehran, Iran, using the medical records of neonates admitted to NICU from ۲۰۰۷ to ۲۰۱۸. These neonates had respiratory distress and received supplemental oxygen. They underwent a complete retinal examination on the ۲۸th day of birth. The neonates with complications such as syndromic disorders, congenital heart disease, metabolic disorders, or surgical needs were excluded from the study. Results: The study included ۴۱۵ premature neonates (equal ratio of each gender) with a mean GA of ۳۳.۴ weeks and a mean birth weight (BW) of ۱۸۸۶ grams, of whom ۷۶ (۱۸%) had ROP and ۱۱ (۲.۷%) needed ROP treatment. Neonates with ROP had lower GA and BW compared to neonates without ROP (۳۲.۷ versus ۳۳.۵ weeks, P=۰.۰۰۰۰۳۹, and ۱۶۹۸ versus ۱۹۲۹ grams, P=۰.۰۵, respectively). Detailed patient records available for ۱۶۳ neonates showed that compared to neonates without ROP, the ROP group had increased mean time for oxygen therapy (۱۱۸±۱۱۵ versus ۴۴±۴۹ hours, P<۰.۰۰۱) and hospitalization duration (۲۴±۲۰ versus ۱۰±۸ days, P<۰.۰۰۱). Conclusion: Neonates with GA of up to ۳۵ weeks who had an unstable clinical course or any high-risk factor for developing ROP may need to be screened for the presence of ROP to prevent adverse outcomes. The obtained results showed that lower GA, lower BW, increased oxygen-therapy duration, and longer hospitalization duration are risk factors for developing ROP.    

کلیدواژه ها:

blindness ، neonate ، Oxygen therapy ، Retinopathy of prematurity ، Visual impairment