Evaluation of risk factors in retinopathy of prematurity requiring treatment that develops in prematures born before 34 weeks of gestation

This study investigated the risk factors for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) requiring treatment in premature. Our study was planned as a single center and retrospective. Newborns who were followed up between 01.01.2019 and 31.12.2022 in Koç University Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit were included in the study. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the neonates included in the study were examined. The study included 185 premature babies. ROP was detected in 83 (44.86%) of the patients. Of the 185 study patients, 60 (32.43%) had stage 1, 22 (11.89%) had stage 2, and one (0.54%) had stage 3 retinopathy of prematurity. Of the 83 patients with retinopathy of prematurity, 13 (15.66%) were determined to be treated for ROP. Of the 13 patients treated for retinopathy of prematurity, four had stage 1, eight had stage 2, and one had stage 3 retinopathy of prematurity. In the retinopathy of prematurity group, respiratory support duration, maximum oxygen support level, hospitalization duration, maternal hypertension, need for resuscitation, hypotension in the baby, early and late sepsis, apnea, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), need for transfusion and propranolol use was found to be high. In univariate logistic regression analysis, the need for resuscitation, postnatal steroid, erythrocyte suspension transfusion, IVH, BPD, PDA, sepsis (early or late onset), absence of multiple pregnancy, hypotension in the neonate, apnea and use of propranolol were found to be significant independent risk factors for both the development of ROP and ROP requiring treatment. In the multivariate logistic regression model, the most important independent risk factors for the development of ROP were found to be the presence of maternal hypertension and gestational age.