title: Retinopathy of prematurity: incidence, risk factors, and outcome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study was planned to determine the rate, the predisposing factors, and the outcome of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a tertiary care hospital in Tehran.
  
  
  METHODS
  All VLBW neonates admitted to the NICU, from April 2007 through March 2010 were enrolled. All relevant perinatal data, including the hospital course up to the time of discharge were documented. Repeated ophthalmologic examinations were done by a single ophthalmologist to observe the progression and subsequent resolution of ROP.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 414 infants undergoing ophthalmologic examination, ROP was detected in 71 infants (17.14 %); 3.4 % stage I, 8.7 % stage II, and 5.1 % stage III. ROP stages IV or V were not detected. After adjustment for different variables, the following independent risk factors were identified: VLBW (P = 0.002, OR = 4.89), multiple gestation (P = 0.001, R = 3.51), resuscitation at birth (P = 0.003, OR = 3), blood transfusion more than 45 mL/kg (P = 0.02, OR = 4.91), oxygen therapy for more than five days (P = 0.009, OR = 3.11), and age more than 10 days to regain birth weight (P = 0.008, OR = 1.06).Thirty-three patients with stages II and III ROP were treated with laser therapy, all of them improved and none progressed to blindness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings identify the major risk factors for ROP; skillful management of high-risk pregnancies, prevention of preterm births, appropriate neonatal care, high index of suspicion, routine screening, and prompt treatment are crucial to prevent the development and progression of ROP.
authors: Hamedan University of Medical Sciences, Hamedan, Iran.
authors: Mohammad Kazem
authors: MK
authors: Sabzehei
authors: Seyyed Abolfazl
authors: SA
authors: Afjeh
authors: Afsar
authors: A
authors: Dastjani Farahani
authors: Ahmad Reza
authors: AR
authors: Shamshiri
authors: Fatemeh
authors: F
authors: Esmaili
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001724:Birth Weight; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D010100:Oxygen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple; D012151:Resuscitation / Q000009:adverse effects; D012178:Retinopathy of Prematurity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen