Retinopathy of Prematurity: Correlating Neonatal Risk Factors with Disease Severity in a Tertiary Referral Center in Shiraz, Iran

Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a preventable cause of blindness in children. This study evaluated the risk factors for ROP in preterm and at-risk neonates. Methods: This descriptive, analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted at Namazi and Hafez hospitals from April ۲۰۲۰ to March ۲۰۲۱. A sample size of ۱۸۳ neonates was calculated based on previous studies. Data on demographic and clinical factors, including gestational age, birth weight, sepsis, respiratory support, packed cell transfusion, hypotension, Apgar score, and hypoglycemia, were collected from hospital records. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS, employing chi-square and logistic regression tests, with a significance level set at P < ۰.۰۵. Results: The mean birth weight was ۱۴۴۴.۹ ± ۳۳۵.۵۹ grams, and the mean gestational age was ۳۱.۰۱ ± ۲.۳۶ weeks. Lower gestational age and birth weight were significantly associated with ROP (P < ۰.۰۰۱). Among infants with a gestational age of less than ۳۴ weeks, ROP severity was significantly associated with blood transfusion (P < ۰.۰۰۱), sepsis (P = ۰.۰۰۳ for zone, P = ۰.۰۳ for stage), and severe hypoglycemia (P < ۰.۰۰۱ for zone, P = ۰.۰۳ for stage). In infants born at or after ۳۴ weeks, blood transfusion was the primary factor associated with ROP severity (P = ۰.۰۱۸ for zone). Conclusion: Our study identified lower gestational age, birth weight, blood transfusion, sepsis, and hypoglycemia as significant risk factors for ROP severity in neonates under ۳۴ weeks of gestation. The findings underscore the importance of vigilant monitoring and management of these risk factors to prevent the progression of ROP.

کلیدواژه ها:

Blood transfusion ، Premature birth ، Retinopathy of prematurity ، Sepsis