title: [Retinopathy of prematurity: why are girls more frequently affected?].
abstract: In 226 prematures (birth weight less than or equal to 1500 g), who were examined prospectively between 1986 and 1988, retinopathy of prematurity occurred significantly more often in girls: 31.0% of the eyes of 134 girls and 22.3% of the eyes of 92 boys showed retinopathy of prematurity (p = 0.042). Different factors may influence the sex ratio of retinopathy of prematurity: (1) hormonal differences are already present shortly after birth; (2) there are different ventilation rates in girls and boys; (3) the mortality varies between girls and boys. The influence of mortality was demonstrated in the group of preterms examined: in this time period, 59 of 285 prematures died: 21 of 155 girls (13.5%) and 38 of 130 boys (29.2%). Significantly more boys than girls died (p = 0.001). For this reason the percentage of surviving girls at high risk of having retinopathy is high. The apparently greater prevalence in girls is the result.
authors.affiliation: Universität-Augenklink, Klinikum Mannheim, Fakultät für Klinische Medizin der Universität, Heidelberg, Mannheim, Bundesrepublik, Deutschland.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Seiberth
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Legler
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Knorz
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Linderkamp
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012178:Retinopathy of Prematurity / Q000401:mortality*; D012737:Sex Factors; D015996:Survival Rate
vernacular_title: Retinopathia praematurorum: Warum sind Mädchen häufiger betroffen?