Risk Factors and Outcomes for Retinopathy of Prematurity in Neonatal Infants with a Birth Weight of 1,501–2,000 g in a Chinese Neonatal Unit

OBJECTIVE: To determine the risk factors and outcomes of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in infants with a birth weight of 1,501-2,000 g. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical characteristics and risk factors were compared and nonconditional logistic regression analysis was performed to determine independent predictors for ROP. RESULTS: There were 54 (9.8%) cases of ROP in 553 patients with a birth weight of 1,501-2,000 g. The most common classification of ROP was in stage 1 (50/54, 92.6%; stages 2 and 3 ROP: 2 infants each). By logistic regression analysis, the following factors independently predicted ROP: gestational age at birth ≤ 34 weeks [odds ratio (OR): 9.01; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.18-68.70], septicemia (OR: 2.88; 95% CI: 1.30-6.36) and perinatal asphyxia (OR: 5.74; 95% CI: 2.35-14.01). CONCLUSION: ROP occurred commonly among infants with a birth weight of 1,501-2,000 g. The risk factors were gestational age at birth ≤ 34 weeks, septicemia and perinatal asphyxia.