Zone 1 retinopathy of prematurity in a transitional economy: a cautionary note.
OBJECTIVE
To describe three low risk infants in whom severe retinopathy of prematurity developed.


METHODS
A prospective, observational case series.


METHODS
setting: National Hospital of Pediatrics, Hanoi, Vietnam. study population: Premature infants in the neonatal ward. observation procedure: Eye examinations.


RESULTS
Severe retinopathy of prematurity occurred in three infants. All had zone 1 disease and other unusually severe findings, such as neovascularization of the disk. These infants would not be at risk for the development of such severe retinopathy of prematurity in countries with a developed economy.


CONCLUSIONS
Unusual characteristics of retinopathy of prematurity may be occurring in countries with transitional economies. Screening programs should be implemented and should take into consideration the possibility that retinopathy of prematurity may occur in infants who fall outside the screening guidelines that are used in the developed world.
Carden
Susan M
SM
Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Children's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Australia. Smcarden@aol.com
Lan
Luu Ngoc
LN
Huynh
Tess
T
D003906:Developing Countries / Q000191:economics*; D004467:Economics; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D008297:Male; D009898:Optic Disk / Q000098:blood supply; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015861:Retinal Neovascularization / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D012178:Retinopathy of Prematurity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D014744:Vietnam