Risk factors associated with Retinopathy of Prematurity development and progression

Abstract Several studies propose that Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) is a multifactorial disorder implicating many prenatal and postnatal factors. The objective of our study was to determine the incidence and the risk factors that influenced ROP development and progression. We retrospectively compiled data of preterms with birth weight (BW) ≤ 1.500 g and/or gestational age (GA) < 32 weeks, or BW between 1.501 and 2.000 g and/or GA ≥ 32 weeks with oxygen supply > 72 h or unstable clinical course screened for ROP in Regional University Hospital of Málaga from 2015 to 2018. 202 infants (44.7%) developed ROP and 66 exhibited progression (32.7% of ROP infants). In the univariate analysis, many risk factors were associated with ROP. In the subsequent multivariate analysis, GA, oxygen therapy and weight at 28 days of life, mechanical ventilation duration, non-invasive ventilation, surfactant administration and late-onset sepsis were independently associated with the development. However, oxygen therapy duration, late-onset sepsis and weight at 28 days were associated with the progression. The ROP development and progression risk factors were different. Our results are important to facilitate screening, early diagnosis and ROP treatment while reducing unneeded examinations.