Abstract

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence, risk factors and the early outcomes of ROP in premature infants followed up in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

METHODS

One hundred seventy nine premature cases with retinopathy of prematurity which were hospitalized in Dr.Behcet Uz Children's Health and Diseases Training and Research Hospital Premature Intensive Care Unit between January 2005-May 2006 were included in this study.. The first ophthalmologic examination of the cases were performed at the postnatal 4-6. Weeks with local anesthesia by an ophthalmologist. The cases were classified according to birth weight and gestational age. The follow-up of the patients with stage 1 retinopathy was done in our hospital while, patients with grade 2 or higher grades were referred to Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology and University School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology.

RESULTS

One hundred three cases (57.5%) were male while 76 cases (42.5%) were female. The birth weight was ranging between 650 to 2400 gr and gestational week at delivery ranged from 24 to 37 weeks. Totally 65 cases (36.3%) were in various grades of ROP (retinopathy of prematurity): 58.4% of the cases had grade I ROP; 12.4% grade 2, 27.7% cases for grade 3 and 1.5% grade 5 ROP.

CONCLUSION

Since the surgical treatment of ROP was also required in patients heavier than 1500 grams and older than 31 gestational age weeks (20%) compared to the smaller prematures; this group should be also screened for ROP