Risk factors for retrolental fibroplasia.

Besides oxygen administration and immaturity of the premature retinal vessels, there are other risk factors for retrolental fibroplasia: (1) respiratory distress syndrome; (2) multiple episodes of bradycardia apnoea; (3) exchange transfusions; (4) hyaline membrane disease; (5) anemia of prematurity; (6) hyperbilirubinemia; (7) avitaminosis E; (8) cardiovascular defects; (9) infectious diseases; (10) multiple births; (11) hypocalcemia; (12) hypothermia; (13) hemorrhagic tendency; (14) delayed coaptation of the retina, and (15) spastic diplegia.