Plan de pesquisa y tratamiento de la Retinopatia del prematuro: Experiencia modelo en Hospital Barros Luco

Abstract

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is the commonest cause of infantile blindness in Chile. 30-35% of children with a birth weight of less than 1 500 gm present some degree of ROP, 5% develop threshold ROP with a high risk of becoming blind. For this reason a screening programme was implemented. Objectives: To determine the incidence of ROP and maximum stages related to birth weight and gestational age. To describe the incidence of threshold ROP, the outcome of early treatment, and the advantages of this programme. Patients and Methods: A programme designed to detect and treat all children with a birth weight of less than 1 500 gm, using retinal examination from day 30 until maturation of the retinal vessels. The inicial and ultimate examination were registered. A treatment protocol was designed for threshold ROP. Results: 205 children (95,8%) of the study were evaluated, 146 (71,2%) presented with some stage of ROP, of whom 18 (12,3%) developed threshold ROP. An inverse relationship between the incidence of ROP and higher birth weight and gestational age were noted, but not with threshold ROP. 18 children with threshold ROP were treated with laser photocoagulotherapy with a favourable outcome. Conclusions: The incidence of ROP is higher in our centre than in others in Chile, even though the risk factors are similar. The absence and associated advantages justifies the implementation and extension of this plan to other centers.