1018 INCREASED RISK OF LOW GRADE RETROLENTAL FIBROPLASIA (RLF) IN SMALL FOR GESTATIONAL AGE INFANTS (SGA) ≤ 1500 GM. AT BIRTH

Abstract

The incidence of RLF increases with decreasing birth weight (BWT) and gestational age, and with exposure to O2 therapy. Since SGA infants are of advanced gestational age in relation to appropriate for date infants (AGA), one might expect the incidence of RLF therefore to be decreased. Twenty-one infants ≤ 1500 gm. who received ≤ 120 hrs. of O2 therapy were followed by indirect ophthalmoscopy for development of proliferative RLF. Seven infants were below the 10th % for gestational age as determined by the Colorado Intrauterine Growth Chart. Fourteen infants were AGA. Duration of O2 therapy, BWT, and incidence of exchange transfusions (ET) were similar in both groups. SGA infants had a statistically significant greater incidence of RLF (59%) than AGA infants (7%), P < .05. All RLF was grade 1 or 2.The increased susceptibility to RLF of SGA infants may be related to prenatal compromised nutritional status, chronic intrauterine hypoxia, or other unknown factors. It is also possible that diagnosis of early RLF is facilitated in SGA infants by the earlier postnatal resolution of intraocular embryonic structures, affording a better view of the fundi.