373 Decreased Incidence of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) Over the Last Decade in the Utrecht Area of the Netherlands.

Abstract

Background/aim: To retrospectively analyse incidence and risk factors of ROP in two 3-year periods, a decade apart in a NICU of a tertiary perinatal centre in the Utrecht area, the Netherlands.Methods: Data of 450 infants with a birth weight (BW) <1500 g and/or a gestational age (GA) < 32 weeks admitted to our NICU between 2001–2003 (second period) were compared to those of 343 infants admitted between 1991–1993 (first period). Incidence and severity of ROP were analysed for both periods as well as risk factors for ROP. Statistics: Chi-square, Fisher exact and logistic regression.Results: Survival rate was increased in the second period compared to the first period (86.9% vs. 92.2%, p=0.019). Incidence of ROP decreased significantly (39.9% in 1991–1993 vs. 24.4% in 2001–2003, p<0.001), together with the incidence of severe ROP (stage > 2) (3.8% in 1991–1993 vs. 1.3% in 2001–2003, p=0.025). Percentage of infants treated remained the same (0.9% in 2001–2003 vs. 0.6% in 1991–1993, p=0.117). In infants with a BW <1000 g the incidence of ROP decreased significantly (65.5% in 1991–1993 vs. 50.4% in 2001–2003, p=0.014), the incidence of severe ROP remained the same (8.4% in 1991–1993 vs. 4.3% in 2001–2003, p=0.175). For infants with a BW >=1000 g the incidence of ROP decreased significantly (26.3% in 1991–1993 vs. 12.6% in 2001–2003, p<0.001), that of severe ROP tended to decrease (1.3% in 1991–1993 vs. 0.0% in 2001–2003, p=0.073). GA, BW, duration of artificial ventilation and postnatal steroids were independent risk factors for ROP.Conclusion: In the Utrecht area the incidence of ROP and severe ROP has significantly decreased over the last decade. However, in infants with a BW <1000g the incidence of severe ROP remained unchanged. GA, BW, duration of artificial ventilation and postnatal steroids were significant risk factors for ROP.