Retinopathy of prematurity: a new epidemic?
This study provides the first empiric evidence for the existence of a new epidemic of retinopathy of prematurity-induced blindness. Data from a population-based register of handicapping conditions in the Canadian province of British Columbia, and a birth weight-specific census of live-born infants in British Columbia, were used to determine annual, population-level incidences of retinopathy of prematurity-induced blindness during 1952 to 1983. Changes in incidence since the end of the original epidemic (1954) were determined by subdividing the 29-year period (1955 to 1983) into two intervals (1955 to 1964 and 1965 to 1983). Standardized incidence ratio analyses revealed a marginally significant increase in the overall incidence of retinopathy of prematurity-induced blindness in the later as compared with the earlier period. Infants weighing 750 to 999 g at birth had a significantly increased standardized incidence ratio of 3.07 (95% confidence interval 1.26, 11.06). No increases in risk were observed in heavier or lighter weight infants. Because ascertainment and diagnostic changes do not explain the weight-specific increases in incidence, these results provide the first population-level evidence for a new epidemic.
Gibson
D L
DL
Department of Health Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Sheps
S B
SB
Schechter
M T
MT
Wiggins
S
S
McCormick
A Q
AQ
D001766:Blindness / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D001955:British Columbia; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000009:adverse effects; D012042:Registries; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*
D010100:Oxygen