Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
2
Neonatal Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
3
Neonatal Research Centre, Department of Pediatrics, Nemazee teaching hospital, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
4
Department of Internal Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
10.22038/ijn.2026.85247.2636
Abstract
Objective : Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a preventable cause of blindness in children. This study evaluated the risk factors for ROP in preterm and at-risk neonates.
Patients and Methods: This descriptive, analytic cross-sectional study was conducted at Namazi and Hafez hospitals, from April 2020 to March 2021. A sample size of 183 neonates was calculated based on previous studies. Data on demographic and clinical factors, including gestational age, birth weight, sepsis, respiratory support, packed cell transfusion, hypotension, Apgar score, and hypoglycemia, were collected from hospital records. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS, employing chi-square and logistic regression tests, with a significance level set at p < 0.05.
Results: The mean birth weight was 1444.9±335.59 grams, and the mean gestational age was 31.01±2.36 weeks. Lower gestational age and birth weight were significantly associated with ROP (p < 0.001). Among infants with a gestational age of less than 34 weeks, ROP severity was significantly associated with blood transfusion (p < 0.001), sepsis (zone p = 0.003, stage p = 0.03), and severe hypoglycemia (zone p < 0.001, stage p = 0.03). In infants born at or after 34 weeks, blood transfusion was the primary factor associated with ROP severity (zone p = 0.018).
Conclusion: Our study identified lower gestational age, birth weight, blood transfusion, sepsis, and hypoglycemia as significant risk factors for ROP severity in neonates under 34 weeks of gestation. The findings underscore the importance of vigilant monitoring and management of these risk factors to prevent the progression of ROP.
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