title: Retinopathy of Prematurity in Triplets.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the incidence, severity and risk factors of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in triplets.
  
  
  METHODS
  The medical records of consecutive premature triplets who had been screened for ROP in a single maternity hospital were analyzed and presence and severity of ROP; birth weight, gender, gestational age of the infant; route of delivery and the mode of conception were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 54 triplets (40 males, 14 females) who were screened for ROP between March 2010 and February 2013 were recruited for the study. All triplets were delivered by Caesarean section and 36 (66.7%) were born following an assisted conception. During follow-up, seven (13%) of the infants developed ROP of any stage and two (3.7%) required laser photocoagulation. The mean gestational age of triplets with ROP was 27.6±1.5 (27-31) weeks whereas it was 32.0±1.5 (30-34) weeks in those without ROP (p=0.002). The mean birth weights of triplets with and without ROP were 1290.0±295.2 (970-1600) g and 1667.5±222.2 (1130-1960) g, respectively (p<0.001). The presence of ROP was not associated with gender (p=0.358) or mode of conception (p=0.674).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ROP in triplets seems to be mainly related to low gestational age and low birth weight. Further prospective randomized studies are necessary to demonstrate risk factors of ROP in triplets and to determine if and how gemelarity plays a role in the development of ROP.
authors: Ulucanlar Eye Training and Research Hospital, Ophthalmology Clinic, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Mehmet Ali
authors: MA
authors: Şekeroğlu
authors: Zübeyde Hanım Maternity and Research Hospital, Ophthalmology Clinic, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Emre
authors: E
authors: Hekimoğlu
authors: Zübeyde Hanım Maternity and Research Hospital, Neonatology Clinic, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Ülker
authors: Ü
authors: Çelik
authors: Zübeyde Hanım Maternity and Research Hospital, Neonatology Clinic, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Yusuf
authors: Y
authors: Kale
authors: Zübeyde Hanım Maternity and Research Hospital, Neonatology Clinic, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Ahmet Yağmur
authors: AY
authors: Baş
keywords: birth weight; gestational age; laser photocoagulation; retinopathy of prematurity; triplet