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Br J Ophthalmol 2004;88:239-242 doi:10.1136/bjo.2003.027474
  • Clinical science
    • Extended reports

Threshold retinopathy at threshold of viability: the EpiBel study

  1. K Allegaert1,
  2. K de Coen2,
  3. H Devlieger1,
  4. on behalf of the EpiBel Study group
  1. 1University Hospital, Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
  2. 2University Hospital, De Pintelaan, 185 9000 Ghent, Belgium
  1. Correspondence to: K Allegaert MD, University Hospitals, Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; karel.allegaertuz.kuleuven.ac.be
  • Accepted 1 August 2003

Abstract

Aim: To describe incidence, co-morbidity characteristics, and risk factors associated with threshold retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in survivors with a gestational age (GA) of ≤26 weeks at birth.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of perinatal data of all inborn survivors in all perinatal centres of Belgium in the period 1999–2000 (EpiBel cohort) believed to be between 22 and 26 weeks GA at time of delivery. Data on survivors who did and survivors who did not develop threshold ROP were compared (χ2, Mann-Whitney U) and logistic regression was performed.

Results: Of 303 admitted infants 175 (58%) were discharged alive. Incidence of major retinopathy (≥stage 3) and of threshold ROP was 25.5% and 19.8% in survivors. Associated central nervous abnormalities were documented in six (17%) and associated chronic lung disease in 19 (54%) threshold ROP infants. Threshold ROP without additional morbidity characteristics at discharge was documented in 14 (40%) infants. Besides often reported risk factors, renal insufficiency (creatinaemia>1.5 mg/dl) was a risk factor to develop threshold ROP (p<0.0015) (χ2). Days of respiratory support (OR 1.02; 95% CI 1.002 to 1.039), number of transfusions (OR 1.118; 95% CI 1.030 to 1.214), and renal insufficiency (OR 3.31; 95% CI 1.344 to 8.196) remained independent risk factors to develop threshold ROP in this cohort in a stepwise logistic regression model (MedCalc).

Conclusions: Incidence of threshold ROP is high at the limits of viability. Renal insufficiency is a risk factor to develop threshold ROP in this cohort.

Footnotes

  • This work was supported by the Belgian Ministry of Health.

  • These results were partially presented at the 18th European Congress of Perinatal Medicine, 19–22 June 2002 Oslo and at the annual Ross Conference, Hot Topics 2002 in Neonatology, 6–8 December, 2002 Washington DC.

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