[Effect and correlation of various risk factors in the development of retinopathy of prematurity. A retrospective study of 338 premature infants].

The statistical significance of ophthalmological and pediatric findings in the development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) was evaluated in a retrospective study of 338 premature infants. Short gestation time, frequent hypoxia, and low birthweight were strongly correlated with advanced stages of ROP. The influence of Vitamin E treatment, duration of oxygen therapy, and need for transfusions was less significant. Neither multiple births nor the infant's sex had any influence on the development of ROP. Cryotherapy appears to reduce ROP, but the number of cases in the present study was too small to permit statistical analysis.