Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate whether the presence of intraventricular hemorrhage is associated with advanced stage retinopathy of prematurity.
Methods: :
A retrospective chart review was performed of 67 neonatal patients with at least stage 1 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) determined at bedside exam during 2007. They were evaluated for the presence and stage of intraventricular hemorrhage and whether laser treatment was required for advanced stage ROP.
Results: :
Among all 67 patients with at least stage 1 ROP, 16 (23.9%) had advanced stage ROP requiring laser treatment. Among the 15 of those patients with concomitant stage 2 or higher intraventricular hemorrhage, 6 (40.0%) required laser treatment. Of the remaining 46 patients without any documented intraventricular hemorrhage, only 10 (21.7%) required laser treatment. Six patients had stage 1 intraventricular hemorrhage and none required laser treatment.
Conclusions: :
The presence of intraventricular hemorrhage was associated with a higher rate of advanced stage ROP requiring laser treatment. However, future studies with larger sample sizes are required to show a statistical significance.
Keywords: retinopathy of prematurity • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: risk factor assessment