Examination of risk factors for the development of retinopathy in premature children

Abstract

Introduction/Objective Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a developmental vascular proliferative disorder in premature children’s incompletely vascularized retina. Many factors slow down or prevent the normal development of retinal vascularization in premature babies. The aim of our study was to examine the risk factors in premature infants of gestational age (GA) of 25–36 weeks associated with the occurrence of severe ROP. Methods The study was cross-sectional. The research included patients monitored by a screening program for ROP, i.e. prematurely born children with a body weight mass (BMW) ≤ 2000 g, and/or GA of ≤ 36 weeks. Results Statistically significant differences were observed between the ROP and the control group in the mean values of GA, BWM at birth, Apgar score, and days of oxygen therapy. Also, frequencies of respiratory distress syndrome expression, broncho-pulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhages, and require-ment for mechanical ventilation were statistically significantly different between the two analyzed groups. Conclusion Our work confirmed that low GA and low BWM are already accepted risk factors for ROP. The presence of perinatal asphyxia, the length of oxygen administration and assisted ventilation are significantly associated with the appearance of active forms of retinopathy. Sepsis and anemia were shown to be significantly associated with more severe forms of retinopathy, while hyperbilirubinemia was approximately present in both examined groups. More severe forms of intraventricular hemorrhages and necrotic enterocolitis are significantly more common in children with active retinopathy. © 2024, Serbia Medical Society. All rights reserved.