Incidence and Main Risk Factors for Severe Retinopathy of Prematurity in Infants Weighing Less Than 1000 Grams in Brazil

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the incidence and risk factors for severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in babies <1000 g at Porto Alegre, Brazil. METHODS: Prospective cohort study including premature children with birth weight ≤1000 g was conducted. Main outcome was the occurrence of severe ROP needing treatment. RESULTS: A total of 157 infants were included. Severe ROP occurred in 20 infants (12.7%). Nineteen patients were treated by laser photocoagulation. Main risk factors for severe ROP were gestational age (P = 0.029), infant's weight measured at sixth week of life (P < 0.001) and number of days of oxygen therapy under mechanical ventilation (P < 0.001). After logistic regression, infant's weight at sixth week of life and number of days in mechanical ventilation were associated to severe ROP. CONCLUSIONS: We reported the incidence of 12.7% of severe ROP among babies born ≤ 1000 g in our institution. Laser photocoagulation was effective to stabilize the disease among 19 treated patients.