Maternal Age Is a Risk Factor for the Development of Retinopathy of Prematurity

Abstract

Purpose:: To determine the risk factors associated with retinopathy of prematurity in premature babies.

Methods:: A case-control study involving 144 patients was undertaken retrospectively. The case group consisted of 72 cases of premature babies with the subsequent development of prematurity of retinopathy (ROP). The control group consisted of 72 gestational age- and sex-matched premature babies, but without the development of ROP during the follow-up. Risk factors involving patients’ characteristics, presence of systemic disorders, previous medication, and maternal characteristics were compared between case and control group.

Results:: Among 66 possible risk factors compared, only birth body weight and maternal age were found to be the significant risk factors. Birth body weight was significantly lighter in the case group (1248.7 ± 257.8 vs. 1335.5 ± 297.2 gm, p=0.01). Maternal age was significantly older in case group than the control group (31.24 ± 5.05 vs. 28.2 ± 5.3 years, p<0.001). Hazard ratio of having ROP babies was 2.9 when the maternal age was over 30 years old.

Conclusions:: Birth body weight and maternal age are two significant risk factors to develop ROP in premature babies. Older maternal age is a newly identified risk factor for the development of ROP in premature babies.

Keywords: retinopathy of prematurity