Br J Ophthalmol 2001;85:933-935 ( August )

Scientific correspondence

Reduced incidence of retinopathy of prematurity E Rowlands^a, A C W Ionides^b, S Chinn^c, H Mackinnon^d, C C Davey^b

^a Department of Ophthalmology, St Thomas's Hospital, Lambeth Palace Road, London SE1 7EH, UK, ^b Department of Ophthalmology, Whittington Hospital, London N19 5NF, UK, ^c Department of Public Health Sciences, King's College, London, UK, ^d Department of Paediatrics, Whittington Hospital, London N19 5NF, UK

Correspondence to: Clare Davey

Accepted for publication 22 February 2001

AIMTo audit the prevalence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in a level 2 status neonatal unit.
METHODSData were collected prospectively over 9 years from September 1989 to September 1998. Preterm infants were examined according to the Royal College of Ophthalmologists' guidelines and retinopathy graded following the International Classification of ROP. ROP 3-5 was analysed using logistic regression in relation to time, and to gestational age and birth weight.
RESULTS383 babies were examined. Mean gestational age fell over the 9 year period (p=0.051) as did mean birth weight (p<0.001). There was a decrease in the number of infants with ROP grades 3-5 over the 9 years (p=0.045 and, when adjusted for gestational age and birth weight, the decrease in ROP 3-5 was significant (p=0.03).
CONCLUSIONSThis study found a significant reduction in the incidence of ROP during the 9 years of the study period, despite a decrease in mean gestational age of and birth weight. The reduced incidence of ROP is attributed to improvements in ventilation techniques and overall care of the neonate, in particular the use of prenatal steroids and surfactant.

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© 2001 by British Journal of Ophthalmology
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