Background: The aim of the study was to investigate maternal risk factors for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and also to describe risk factors for prematurity per se in our population.
Design: A retrospective, population-based study.
Material and methods: The study group included the mothers (identified with the help of a National Birth Register) of 202 single-born preterm infants with a birth weight of 1500 grams or less, from a previous population-based study. From the same register we also received information on 307 mothers of full term pregnancies for description of risk factors for preterm birth. Data from antenatal clinics, labor rooms and neonatal units were studied.
Results: Univariate analysis of maternal risk factors for ROP revealed a few positive findings. In a further logistic multiple regression analysis, apart from gestational age at birth and birth weight, only essential hypertension prior to pregnancy was a predicting risk factor (odds/ ratio 8.36, 95% confidence interval 1.62-43.0).
Conclusions: Prematurity per se remains the strongest risk factor for ROP.