Incidence and risk factors for retinopathy of prematurity in a Brazilian reference service.
OBJECTIVE
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a known cause of blindness in which diagnosis and timely treatment can prevent serious harm to the child. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of ROP and its association with known risk factors.


METHODS
Longitudinal incidence study in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros.


METHODS
Newborns admitted to the NICU with gestational age less than 32 weeks and/or birth weight less than 1,500 grams, were followed up over a two-year period. The assessment and diagnosis of ROP were defined in accordance with a national protocol. The chi-square test or Fisher's exact test were used to determine associations between independent variables and ROP. Analysis on the independent effect of the variables on the results was performed using multiple logistic regression.


RESULTS
The incidence of ROP was 44.5% (95% confidence interval, CI = 35.6-46.1) in the study population. The risk factors associated with the risk of developing the disease were: birth weight less than 1,000 grams (odds ratio, OR = 4.14; 95% CI = 1.34-12.77); gestational age less than 30 weeks (OR = 6.69; 95% CI = 2.10-21.31); use of blood derivatives (OR = 4.14; 95% CI = 2.99-8.99); and presence of sepsis (OR = 1.99; 95% CI = 1.45-2.40).


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of ROP was higher than that found in the literature. The main risk factors were related to extreme prematurity.
Faculdades Integradas Pitágoras, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Eduardo
E
Gonçalves
Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Luciano Sólia
LS
Násser
Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Daniella Reis
DR
Martelli
Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Isadora Ramos
IR
Alkmim
Faculdades Integradas Pitágoras, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Thalita Veloso
TV
Mourão
Faculdades Integradas Pitágoras, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Antônio Prates
AP
Caldeira
Faculdades Integradas Pitágoras, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Hercílio
H
Martelli
D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D012178:Retinopathy of Prematurity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index