Risk factors for retinopathy of prematurity: a current literature review

Abstract

Aim of the study:To present the primary and secondary risk factors for the development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), as reported in the literature to date. Material and methods: Analysis of scientific papers and articles available in the PubMed, Google Scholar and UpToDate databases devoted to the study of risk factors involved in the development of retinopathy in premature infants, with attention given to the WIN-ROP and G-ROP algorithms used in ophthalmic screening tests. Conclusions:The best documented risk factors with a direct impact on ROP include low birth weight and preterm birth, low IGF-1 level, chorioamnionitis, and neonatal sepsis, while factors with an indirect impact on the development of ROP comprise bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis, apnea of prematurity, and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).

Relation of Retinopathy of Prematurity With Change in Birth Weight During the Postnatal Period in Premature Infants in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Lahore

“…In this Pakistani study, the ROP prevalence was 32.4% (Taqui et al, 2008). Another observational study conducted in Tehran showed that the incidence of ROP was 33.3% (Modrzejewska et al, 2022). Facts can be explained as these studies involved only deficient newborns of less than 32 weeks of birth weight.…”

“…[Citation: Asian newborns are at an increased risk of severe ROP than others (Modrzejewska et al, 2022).…”

Most Up-to-Date Analysis of Epidemiological Data on the Screening Guidelines and Incidence of Retinopathy of Prematurity in Europe—A Literature Review

“…One of the most well-known risk factors is the use of oxygen therapy in neonatal intensive care and the immaturity of preterm infants (i.e., low birth weight and early week of birth). Other, more overlooked risk factors include prenatal, perinatal, and maternal factors (i.e., methods of assisted reproduction, pregnancy-induced hypertension, thyroid diseases, gestational diabetes, chorioamnionitis and Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes (PPROM)), and neonatal factors (mainly related to diseases of prematurity, i.e., neonatal sepsis (NS), respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), leukomalacia (L), and thrombocytopenia (T) [2]. Complications of this condition can pose a significant threat to the organ of vision leading to significant visual impairment and even blindness.…”