Immediate Pre-laser Oxygen Saturations, Birthweight and Gestational Ages as Predictive Factors for Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) Progression

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To evaluate differences in birthweight, gestational age and oxygen saturation of premature infants that required laser photocoagulation (group 1) vs weight-matched non-lasered premature infants (group 2). Methods: Retrospective chart review of premature infants examined for retinopathy of prematurity between 5/00 and 12/01 (birthweight 798.8± 239.5g vs 1029.8± 339.2 g; p<0.005; gestational age 25.2 ± 2.3 vs 28.3± 2.4; p<0.0001). We compared birthweight, gestational age and oxygen saturation for 3 weeks prior to laser in group one n=25 (avg. weight at laser 2508 grams) or oxygen saturations for 3 weeks in group 2 before they reached 2500 grams n=39 Results: In concurrence with previous literature, we found the birthweight and gestational age in weeks to be the most significant predictors of ROP progression. When comparing daily oxygen saturations over 3 weeks, we found the average oxygen saturation was less in babies that were lasered on every day prior to laser, with 5 days of 20 (25%) reaching statistical significance. There were 18/20 days in group 1 where average oxygen saturations were less than 95% vs 2/20 days for group 2. The latest day prior to laser where oxygen saturations were statistically different was 2 days prior to laser. Conclusions: As noted in prior studies, birthweight and gestational age are the most significant predictors of ROP progression. Our data suggest that decreased oxygen saturation as early as 3 weeks prior to and as late as 2 days prior to laser in weight-matched premature infants may increase the possibility of ROP progression to the point of requiring laser photocoagulation.

Keywords: retinopathy of prematurity • retinal development • retina