[Evaluation of published recommendations for screening studies of retinopathy of prematurity].
OBJECTIVE
Evaluation of different and partially contradictory guidelines for screening for retinopathy of prematurity published in Germany.


METHODS
The data on 1219 preterm infants examined in Bern (n = 900) and Berlin (n = 319) were analyzed. A total of 680 preterm infants (56%) had a birth weight below 1500 g. The remaining infants were examined because oxygen had to be supplied or surgery done before or around the estimated delivery time.


RESULTS
Stage 3 retinopathy was found in 88/1219 (7.2%) preterm infants. Only 5/88 infants weighed more than 1500 g at birth. Three of these infants had a birth weight below 2000 g and needed supplemental oxygen for a prolonged period of time. The other 2 infants had birth weights of more than 2000 g and were severely ill. Of 1219 preterm infants, 37 (3%) developed threshold retinopathy (according to the criteria of the multicenter trial); 35/37 infants weighed less than 1230 g at birth. The remaining 2 children (1650 g and 2185 g birth weight) were severely ill.


CONCLUSIONS
Preterm infants should be screened for retinopathy of prematurity: (1) if the birth weight is below 1500 g; (2) if the birth weight is below 2000 g and oxygen supply was necessary for more than 30 days; (3) if infants are very sick or must undergo multiple surgery before term. The first examination should be scheduled for the 6th week postnatal and not before 31 weeks postmenstrual age.
Kellner
U
U
Augenklinik, Universitätsklinikum Benjamin Franklin der Freien Universität Berlin.
Jandeck
C
C
Helbig
H
H
Versmold
H
H
Bossi
E
E
Körner
F
F
Foerster
M H
MH
D001604:Berlin; D001724:Birth Weight; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012178:Retinopathy of Prematurity / Q000145:classification / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013557:Switzerland; D015351:Vision Screening
Uberprüfung publizierter Empfehlungen für Screening-Untersuchungen bei Retinopathia praematurorum.