Applying screening criteria for retinopathy of prematurity in preterm infants

Abstract

Objective To describe retinopathy of prematurity(ROP)of preterm infants in Xiamen and evaluate the efficacy of applying current screening guidelines.Methods Retrospective data on preterm infants were collected who were referred by their neonatologist for ROP screening at Xiamen First Hospital between January 2005 and December 2010 according to the Screening criteria of our country.Additionally,older preterm infants considered at risk for ROP by the neonatal intensive care unite were screened.Initial examinations begin 4-6 weeks after birth or at 32 weeks postconception.Routine ophthalmologic examinations used by the indirect ophthalmoscopy and the scleral depression.All infants were followed-up until a stable retinal situation was reached.Results Retinopathy of prematurity was detected in 9.97％ of 672 neonates who had eye examinations.Including 38 eyes suffered from stage Ⅰ,60 eyes suffered from stage Ⅱ,4 eyes suffered from stage Ⅲ,16 eyes suffered from stageⅢ?with plus disease(zone 3),10 eyes suffered from stageⅢ?with plus disease(zone 2),2 eyes suffered from stage Ⅳ,2 eyes suffered from stage of AP-ROP Favorable outcome was observed in 26 infants who had undergone photocoagulation;3 infants developed retinal detachment with plus disease and performed vitretectomy.Four infants died.The occurrence rate of ROP in the infants with the birth weight ≤1000g,1001-1500g,1501-2000g,≤2500g was 56.76％,12.83％,5.10％,3.42％,respectively;the occurrence rate of ROP in the infants with the gestational age ≤32 weeks,≤34weeks was 82.09％,95.52％.Conclusions The criteria for ROP screening programs should be designed according to local conditions.In our country,screening all premature babies with a gestational age less than 34 weeks or a birth weight less than 2000g appears to be appropriate. Key words: Birth weight; Neonates; Premature infants; Retinopathy of prematurity; Screening criterion