PP-085 Premature retinopathy-cerrahpasa experience

• Published in: BMJ paediatrics open Vol. 8; no. Suppl 5; p. A100
• Main Authors: Demir, Hakan, Meriç, Rüya, Ünkar, Zeynep Alp, Ulu, Ersin, Oto, Bilge Batu, Vural, Mehmet
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 11.07.2024; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: anti-VEGF; Birth weight; laser photocoagulation; Ophthalmology; Pediatrics; Poster Presentation; Premature babies; Premature birth; premature retinopathy; ROP; Vascular endothelial growth factor; Istanbul Turkey; Turkey
• ISSN: 2399-9772
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjpo-2024-EPAC.229

AimPremature retinopathy (ROP), one of the significant and preventable causes of childhood blindness, occurs due to abnormal proliferation of retinal blood vessels in premature babies. The most important risk factors are low birth weight and prematurity. In Turkey, babies that are born before 34 weeks or have birth weight less than 1700 grams are screened. In this study, we compared the stages and frequency of ROP in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa with the Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa Ophthalmology Department, which is a ROP center.Material and MethodData from 162 NICU patients, admitted from April 2021 through November 2023, that are born before 34. gestational weeks, were reviewed. Additionally, data from 1539 patients who presented to the IUC-Department of Ophthalmology ROP clinic were also retrospectively examined.ResultsAmong the 162 patients we followed up in the NICU, minimum stage 1 ROP was detected in 18 (11.1%) of them. In 14 of the ROP patients, the stage regressed spontaneously, while 2 (1%) patients received anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) treatment, and 2 (1%) patients received laser photocoagulation treatment. Among the patients who presented to the ROP clinic, minimum stage 1 ROP was detected in 250 (16%) patients. Anti-VEGF treatment was given to 45 patients (18%), and laser photocoagulation treatment was applied to 37 patients (14.8%).ConclusionsWith the advancements in Neonatology, low birth weight and small gestational age, which are unmodifiable risk factors for ROP development, are more common. Avoiding unnecessary oxygen therapy in the follow-up of premature infants who have poorly developed respiratory systems in the NICU is crucial for ROP. Maintaining target oxygen saturation levels between 90–94 in patients receiving respiratory support plays a significant role in reducing the frequency of ROP.