Objective:
This study determined the status of screening for retinopathy of prematurity
(ROP) at a university hospital and correlated birth weight (BW) and age of
gestation (AOG)with ROP staging.
Methods:
Clinical records of premature babies referred for ROP screening from July
2007 to August 2008 were included in the study. They were reviewed if they
met the inclusion criteria of BW less than 1,500 grams and AOG less-than-28
weeks. These parameters were correlated with the ROP staging.
Results:
A total of 65 babies were included in the review, 20 (10 males and 10 females)
of whom met the criteria for ROP screening. Only 7 were seen by an
ophthalmologist. The mean BW was 1.35 kg with AOG of 32 to 33 weeks. Two
babies had stage-II ROP, 1 of whom improved after indirect laser treatment.
There was strong correlation between BW and ROP (r = –0.60, p = 0.13) and
between AOG and ROP (r = –0.56, p = 0.19), but the results did not reach
statistical significance.
Conclusion
Less than half of premature babies who met the inclusion criteria for ROP
screening were evaluated by an ophthalmologist. Ophthalmologists and
pediatricians should work together to increase the capture rate of ROP
screening among babies born preterm.
Retinopathy of Prematurity
;
Birth Weight
;
Sepsis