Abstract

Aim: To determine the incidence and risk factors of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in premature infants referred to a tertiary eye hospital during 2003–7 to provide preliminary evidence about ROP in Iran.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study, data for premature infants screened for ROP in Farabi Eye Hospital including possible risk factors and eye exams’ results were recorded and analysed using χ², univariate and multiple regressions. Severe ROP was defined as ROP needing treatment or stage 4 or 5 of ROP.

Results: Among 953 premature infants, there were 329 (34.5%) different stages of ROP. Severe ROP was seen in 22.6% (215/953) of infants (16.5%: treatable, 6.1%: advanced untreatable). The mean gestational age (GA) and birth weight (BW) of infants with severe ROP were 28.8 (SD 2.4) weeks and 1256 (389) g respectively. Univariate analysis showed a significant relation between GA, BW, oxygen therapy, blood transfusion and ROP (p<0.001), while multiple-regression methods showed GA, BW and oxygen therapy as independent predictors of ROP (p<0.001, 0.019 and 0.033, respectively).

Conclusion: The authors observed a relatively high incidence of ROP in this series, especially its severe form affecting relatively more mature infants, which merits further investigation. GA, BW and oxygen therapy were independent ROP determinants.