Retinopathy of Prematurity: Incidence and Risk Factor Analysis in Small for Gestational Age Neonates Compared to Appropriate for Gestational Age.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) among preterm neonates who were born small for gestational age (SGA) and appropriate for gestational age (AGA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A prospective cohort study among preterm neonates born <34 weeks of gestational age (GA) and <2000 grams birth weight (BW) was conducted. The neonates were divided into AGA and SGA group. Incidence of ROP and risk factors was compared among the groups.

RESULT

290 neonates were screened [AGA: 240 (82.8%); SGA: 50 (17.2%)]. The mean birth-weight and gestational age were 1510.7 ± 390.64 grams and 31.4 ± 4.8 weeks, respectively. The incidence of ROP in AGA and SGA was 30.2% and 33%, respectively ( = 0.58), whereas the incidence of type 1 ROP in AGA and SGA was 14% and 19% ( = 0.41). Male sex, anemia, oxygen administration, surfactant administration, sepsis, and PIH were independent significant risk factors for ROP on multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that both AGA and SGA premature infants have similar incidence of ROP. SGA is not an independent risk factor for ROP.