April 2011
Volume 52, Issue 14
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   April 2011
Regional Differences In The Incidence Of Retinopathy Of Prematurity In Extremely Preterm Infants In Sweden
Dordi Austeng; Karin Källen; Ann Hellström; Peter Jakobsson; Kent Johansson; Kristina Tornqvist; Agneta Wallin; Gerd Holmström
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • Dordi Austeng
    Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
  • Karin Källen
    Centre of reproductive epidemiology,
    Lund University, Lund, Sweden
  • Ann Hellström
    Section of pediatric ophthalmology, The Queen Silvia children's hospital, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
  • Peter Jakobsson
    Ophthalmology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
  • Kent Johansson
    Ophthalmology, Umeå University Hospital, Umeå, Sweden
  • Kristina Tornqvist
    Ophthalmology,
    Lund University, Lund, Sweden
  • Agneta Wallin
    St. Erik Eye Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
  • Gerd Holmström
    Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships  Dordi Austeng, None; Karin Källen, None; Ann Hellström, None; Peter Jakobsson, None; Kent Johansson, None; Kristina Tornqvist, None; Agneta Wallin, None; Gerd Holmström, None
  • Footnotes
    Support  None
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science April 2011, Vol.52, 3136. doi:
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      Dordi Austeng, Karin Källen, Ann Hellström, Peter Jakobsson, Kent Johansson, Kristina Tornqvist, Agneta Wallin, Gerd Holmström; Regional Differences In The Incidence Of Retinopathy Of Prematurity In Extremely Preterm Infants In Sweden. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2011;52(14):3136.

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Abstract

Purpose: : Previously we have studied national mortality and morbidity in a population of extremely preterm infants born before 27 weeks’ gestation in Sweden. In the present study, we wanted to investigate whether the seven Swedish university regions differ regarding incidence and screening routines of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in this population.

Methods: : A prospective population-based study of extremely preterm infants was performed in Sweden during 2004 to 2007. In each of the seven regions, one obstetric, one pediatric and one ophthalmological study coordinator were responsible for the data collection. Screening for ROP was to be performed weekly from the 5th postnatal week, enabling study of the course and severity of ROP. Early Treatment for ROP (ETROP) recommendations for treatment were followed.

Results: : 506 infants were screened for ROP during the study period. The region with most infants was used as a reference region to which other regions were compared. There were significant differences regarding incidence of ROP among the regions with variations between 54 and 92 %. The observed heterogeneity in incidences remained after adjustment for GA at birth and other previously described risk factors for ROP in this population. Regarding the incidence of ROP stage 3 and frequency of treatment for ROP, there was also significant heterogeneity between the regions after adjustment for GA at birth and BW. Screening routines deviated in one of the regions with a later first eye examination and a longer interval between examinations compared to the other regions.

Conclusions: : Although neonatal care is supposed to be uniform in Sweden, this study reveals regional differences regarding incidence and screening routines for ROP. The heterogeneity of ROP incidences may possibly be caused by observer bias and/or differences in regional neonatal care. Further analyses will be performed together with neonatologists in order to investigate the causes of the patterns observed.

Keywords: retinopathy of prematurity 
© 2011, The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc., all rights reserved. Permission to republish any abstract or part of an abstract in any form must be obtained in writing from the ARVO Office prior to publication.
Copyright © 2025 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.
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