Incidence of Retinopathy in Preterm Neonates Hospitalized in Imam Reza Hospital of Mashhad in 2020-2021

Abstract

Introduction: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is one of the leading causes of visual impairment and blindness in premature infants. The present study was conducted with aim to determine the frequency and the risk factors related to ROP in premature newborns hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, the infants <2000 gr who met the inclusion criteria were selected among newborns born from 2020 to 2021 and underwent ROP evaluation. Patients were followed up regarding the development of ROP and, in case of development, its location. In cases where ROP occurred, the affected zone was recorded as follows: Zone I (the most central and severe involvement); Zone II (the intermediate zone with more common and moderate involvement); and Zone III (the most peripheral and mildest involvement). The relationship of gestational age, sex, and birth weight with the ROP and its severity was evaluated. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 26) and Independent t-test, Mann–Whitney test, Chi-square test, and analysis of variance (ANOVA). P<0.05 was considered significant. Results: A total of 374 newborns were included, of which 258 (68.98) had ROP. Gestational age (p<0.001) and weight (p<0.001) of newoborns with ROP were significantly lower than other newborns. Also, their duration of hospitalization was significantly longer (p<0.001). Most ROP occurred in zone II (61.5). Gestational age (p<0.001) and birth weight (p<0.001) of patients with ROP in different zones were significantly different (p<0.001). Conclusion: The frequency of ROP in the studied newborns was higher than that reported in some previous studies. Lower birth weight and gestational age, and longer hospitalization are the most important factors related to developing ROP in premature newborns. © 2026, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.