Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To prospectively analyze the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) with documenting perinatal clinical characteristics in affected infants, in attempt to describe risk factors for ROP. To evaluate its anatomical and functional consequences for visual development. Methods: Between March 2002 and April 2004, 161 infants, with a gestational age < 31 weeks and/or a birth weight < 1500g, were screened according to CRYO–ROP guidelines, using direct ophthalmoscopy with Layden contact lens. Risk factors for ROP were analyzed with Student and Fischer’s tests. Then babies were reexamined at 9 months old for strabismus and refractive disorders screening. Results: ROP developed in 15% of the cases studied, among 1/5 pre–threshold or threshold ROP. Gestational age at birth (p<0,0001), low birth weight (p<0,0001), stay’s length in neonatal intensive care unit (p<0,0001), length of mechanical ventilation (p<0,0001), length of oxygen provided (p<0,0001), blood transfusions (p<0,0001), hyaline membrane disease (p=0,0257) and bronchodysplasia (p=0,0012) were significant risk factors for ROP. Less than 40% of infants came back at 9 months old. Functional results at this period were satisfying : 5% of esotropia, 3% of exotropia, 22% of significant hypermetropia, 5,5 et 3% of myopia and astigmatism and 5,5% of anisometropia. No difference was found between child with or without antecedent of ROP. Conclusions: Persistence of ROP, with more precocious prematurity and despite best consciousness of risk factors, imposes screening and prolonged following of premature infants, with a cooperation between ophthalmolgist, neonatologist and concerned parents. </td> </tr> <TR>
Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: risk factor assessment • infant vision • retinopathy of prematurity