Lack of association of glucocorticoid therapy and retinopathy of prematurity.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if glucocorticoid therapy alters the severity of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).


METHODS
Retrospective survey.


METHODS
Tertiary intensive care nursery.


METHODS
One hundred forty-seven surviving infants with birth weight of 1.25 kg or less born July 1990 through January 1993.


METHODS
Maximum stage of retinopathy and the need for cryosurgery.


RESULTS
Using logistic regression, neither corticosteroid exposure nor total corticosteroid dose was associated with either ROP greater than stage 2 or cryosurgery. The significant predictors of ROP greater than stage 2 were birth weight and the duration of supplemental oxygen therapy. The only significant risk factor for cryosurgery was gestational age.


CONCLUSIONS
No association between corticosteroid therapy and the severity of ROP was found after controlling for traditional risk factors such as birth weight, gestational age, and duration of supplemental oxygen therapy.
Wright
K
K
Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Medical Center at Knoxville.
Wright
S P
SP
D001724:Birth Weight; D003452:Cryosurgery; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D016015:Logistic Models; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012178:Retinopathy of Prematurity / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors
D003907:Dexamethasone; D006854:Hydrocortisone