Effective Risk Factors in the Development of Retinopathy of Prematurity, Screening Results and Intravitreal Ranibizumab Treatment

Abstract

Introduction: The aim is to evaluate the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity within three years in premature babies fol- lowed up in our clinic, to determine the risk factors that play a role in the development of retinopathy, to evaluate intravitreal ranibizumab treatment and its results. Methods: Babies with a birth weight of ≤32 weeks and/or a birth weight of ≤1500 grams and babies determined to be at risk by the clinician were examined for the development of retinopathy. Risk factors including week of birth, birth weight, mode of delivery, gender, APGAR scores, need for mechanical ventilation, ≥40% oxygen therapy, duration of oxygen therapy, surfactant therapy, acidosis, hypoxia, sepsis, erythrocyte transfusion, intraventricular hemorrhage, apnea and anemia were compared between cases who developed or did not develop retinopathy of prematurity. Results: The mean birth week of the babies was 30.1±0.24 weeks (23-36 weeks), and the mean birth weight was 1362.3±378.6 grams (450-2020 grams). Retinopathy of prematurity at different stages was detected in 21 (16.2%) of 130 patients. Eight (6.1%) of all patients screened for retinopathy of prematurity required treatment. Intravitreal ranibizumab was administered to seven patients (5.3%) with Stage III retinopathy, and both ranibizumab and laser therapy were applied to one patient with Stage IV retinopathy. Week of birth and low birth weight (p