Neonatal Risk Factors for Treatment-Demanding Retinopathy of Prematurity: A Danish National Study

Carina Slidsborg, Aksel Jensen, Julie Lyng Forman, Steen Rasmussen, Regitze Bangsgaard, Hans Callø Fledelius, Gorm Greisen, Morten la Cour

44 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Purpose One goal of the study was to identify "new" statistically independent risk factors for treatment-demanding retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Another goal was to evaluate whether any new risk factors could explain the increase in the incidence of treatment-demanding ROP over time in Denmark. Design A retrospective, register-based cohort study. Participants The study included premature infants (n = 6490) born in Denmark from 1997 to 2008. Methods The study sample and the 31 candidate risk factors were identified in 3 national registers. Data were linked through a unique civil registration number. Each of the 31 candidate risk factors were evaluated in univariate analyses, while adjusted for known risk factors (i.e., gestational age [GA] at delivery, small for gestational age [SGA], multiple births, and male sex). Significant outcomes were analyzed thereafter in a backward selection multiple logistic regression model. Main Outcome Measures Treatment-demanding ROP and its associations to candidate risk factors. Results Mechanical ventilation (odds ratio [OR], 2.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.99-4.08; P < 0.01) and blood transfusion (OR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.20-3.14; P = 0.01) were the only new statistically independent risk factors, in addition to GA at delivery, SGA, multiple births, and male sex. Modification in these prognostic factors for ROP did not cause an increase in treatment-demanding ROP. Conclusions In a large study population, blood transfusion and mechanical ventilation were the only new statistically independent risk factors to predict the development of treatment-demanding ROP. Modification in the neonatal treatment with mechanical ventilation or blood transfusion did not cause the observed increase in the incidence of preterm infants with treatment-demanding ROP during a recent birth period (2003-2008).

Original languageEnglish
JournalOphthalmology
Volume123
Issue number4
Pages (from-to)796-803
Number of pages8
ISSN0161-6420
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2016

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