title: Screening criteria for retinopathy of prematurity in developing countries.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a serious problem which potentially can lead to blindness. The objective of this study is to detect the incidence of ROP and the number of preterm babies requiring treatment for ROP in our center and to establish the screening criteria for our country.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 801 babies with a gestational age less than 37 weeks were screened for ROP. Babies with a gestational age (GA) less than 32 weeks (n=348) were assigned as group 1. Babies with a GA between 32 and 34 weeks (n=335) were assigned as group 2 and between 35 and 37 weeks (n=98) were assigned as group 3. Clinical features and ROP screening results of the cases were documented.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In group 1, ROP was detected in 176 (50.9%) babies, 41 (11.8%) of whom were treated with laser/cryotherapy. In group 2, 83 (25%) cases of ROP were detected, and 11 of them (3.1%) required therapy. In group 3, 9 (9.1%) infants were diagnosed with ROP, and none of them required treatment. Clinical factors associated with ROP in group 1 were gestational age, birthweight, duration of ventilation, duration of oxygen supplementation, sepsis, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In developing countries, the criteria for ROP screening programs should be designed according to local conditions. In our country, screening all premature babies with a gestational age less than 34 weeks or a birthweight less than 1850 g appears to be appropriate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, Marmara University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. ipekakman@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ipek
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Akman
authors.forename: Utku
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Demirel
authors.forename: Ozlem
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Yenice
authors.forename: Hacer
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ilerisoy
authors.forename: Haluk
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kazokoğlu
authors.forename: Eren
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ozek
mesh_terms: D017679:Cryotherapy; D003906:Developing Countries; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D008297:Male; D015997:Neonatal Screening / Q000592:standards*; D012178:Retinopathy of Prematurity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology