Screening for retinopathy of prematurity in North China

Abstract

Purpose To analyze the incidence and severity of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in north China, and to evaluate the effectiveness of different ROP screening criteria. Patients and methods The screening data of premature infants were collected from 2016 to 2021. The severity of ROP was graded according to the International Classification of Retinopathy of Prematurity (2005). And the treatment for ROP followed the Early Treatment for Retinopathy of Prematurity Cooperative Group. The effects of gestational age (GA) and birth weight (BW) on the incidence and severity of ROP were evaluated. The screening data were also analyzed using different ROP screening guidelines. Results A total of 4069 infants underwent ROP screening, and 728 infants (17.9%) were diagnosed with ROP. Of those, 78 infants (1.9%) received treatments. Gestational age and BW showed significant differences between infants with and without ROP (29.1 ± 2.1w vs. 32.9 ± 2.6w, p < 0.001; 1362.7 ± 427.3 g vs. 1751.9 ± 509.4 g, p < 0.001; respectively). Fifty-six infants (7.69%), 188 infants (25.82%), and 104 infants (14.29%) in all infants with ROP would have been missed according to the China, USA, and UK screening guidelines respectively. If GA ≤ 33 weeks and/or BW ≤ 2100 g were considered as screening criteria, only one infant (0.14%) with critical systemic illness was missed diagnosed with severe ROP. Conclusion Gestational age and BW are major risk factors for the incidence and severity of ROP. And the incidence and treatment rate of ROP in Tianjin is similar to that reported in the other regions of China. Modified ROP screening criteria were considered to be more effective in Tianjin.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Retinopathy of Prematurity in a Tertiary Hospital in China

“…7,8 The occurrence rate of ROP in China varies significantly based on the region and the level of medical care. 9,10 This study aimed to analyze the incidence and risk factors of ROP in preterm infants with BW <1500 grams in our NICU and increase the awareness of neonatologists in preventing ROP in clinical work.…”

Possibilities of Influencing Procedural Pain Associated with Premature Newborn Retinopathy Screening with Oral Clonidine

“…However, neither method appears to be effective when comparing the effectiveness of local anesthesia and the effect of glucose in a retinopathy screening examination. Nevertheless, the use of local anesthesia is mentioned in recommendations, e.g., in Sweden, but also in the Czech Republic and China [ 5 , 11 , 12 ].…”