A Clinical Study of Retinopathy of Prematurity

Ku, Yoon Jung; Han, Young Bock; Ahn, Chung Sook

Abstract

One hundred premature infants with birth weight less than 2000 gm or with gestational ages less than 37 weeks who admitted to Ewha Womans University from January 1991 to May 1993 were examined by indirect ophthalmoscope. We analysed the incidence and the risk factors of retinopathy. The results were as follows: 1. Twenty one infants(21.0%) were diagnosed as retinopathy of prematurity. Among them, six infants(28.6%) presented stage 1, three infants(14.3%) at stage 2, twelve infants(57.1%) at stage 3. 2. Male patients were 11(52.4%) and female patients were 10(47.6%). There was no significant difference in incidence between male and female. 3. The incidence of retinopathy of prematurity increased with low birth weight(<1500 gm), small gestational age(33 weeks) and oxygen administration. 4. The risk factors associated with oxygen therapy besides the duration of oxygen exposure were hyperoxia, hypoxia, hypercarbia, hypocarbia and acidosis. 5. The retinopathy of prematurity was initially diagnosed at 5.6 weeks in average(36.3 weeks by postconceptional age). The onset of retinopathy of prematurity was timed according to postconceptional age rather than chronologie age since birth. 6. Other possible associated risk factors were spontaneous premature rupture of membrane, sepsis, hyaline membrane disease, neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, transfusion and low 5-minute Apgar scores.