The prevalence of retinopathy of prematurity in very low birth weight newborn infants

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of retinopathy of prematurity and the risk factors affecting very low birth weight infants at a neonatal intensive care unit. METHODS: A cross-sectional study investigating all newborn infants with birth weights > 1,500 g and/or gestational ages > 32 weeks, admitted to the Neonatal ICU at the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, from October 2002 to March 2004. Patients underwent indirect binocular ophthalmoscopy of the fundus at six weeks postpartum. Infants who progressed to threshold disease were given laser therapy. RESULTS: One hundred and fourteen newborn infants were studied. Eighty-three patients were not diagnosed with retinopathy of prematurity, 18 had stage I retinopathy of prematurity, seven stage II retinopathy of prematurity and six patients had threshold retinopathy of prematurity. The prevalence of retinopathy of prematurity was 27.2% (95% CI: 19.28-36.32) affecting 31 newborn infants, and the prevalence of retinopathy of prematurity progressing to threshold disease was 5.26% (95% CI: 1.96-11.10), affecting six patients. Retinopathy of prematurity was confirmed in 50% of the patients with weights below 1,000 g and 71.5% of newborn infants born at gestational ages of less than 28 weeks. Gestational age and birth weight were significantly lower among patients with retinopathy of prematurity than among those without. CONCLUSIONS: Although the results of this study demonstrate that the observed prevalence was similar to that described in literature, this ROP frequency remains elevated among very low birth weight infants. The development of retinopathy of prematurity was inversely proportional to weight and gestational age at birth.OBJETIVO: Avaliar a prevalência de retinopatia da prematuridade e os fatores de risco em recém-nascidos de muito baixo peso internados em uma unidade de tratamento intensivo neonatal. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal incluindo todos os recém-nascidos com peso ao nascimento > 1.500 g e/ou idade gestacional > 32 semanas, admitidos na unidade de tratamento intensivo neonatal do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, entre outubro de 2002 e março de 2004. Os pacientes foram submetidos a exame de fundo de olho sob oftalmoscopia binocular indireta na sexta semana de vida. Foi realizado tratamento a laser nos que atingiram a doença limiar RESULTADOS: Foram estudados 114 recém-nascidos. Em 83 pacientes, não se diagnosticou retinopatia da prematuridade; 18 apresentaram retinopatia da prematuridade 1; sete, retinopatia da prematuridade 2; seis, retinopatia da prematuridade em doença. A prevalência de retinopatia da prematuridade foi de 27,2% (IC 95%: 19,28-36,32), afetando 31 recém-nascidos, e a prevalência de retinopatia da prematuridade que atingiu doença limiar foi de 5,26% (IC 95%: 1,96-11,10), afetando seis pacientes. Verificou-se retinopatia da prematuridade em 50% dos pacientes com peso inferior a 1.000 g e em 71,5% dos recém-nascidos com idade gestacional inferior a 28 semanas. A idade gestacional e o peso de nascimento foram significativamente menores nos pacientes com retinopatia da prematuridade em comparação aos normais. CONCLUSÕES:Embora os resultados deste estudo mostrem que a prevalência encontrada foi semelhante à encontrada na literatura, a ocorrência de retinopatia da prematuridade ainda é alta nos recém-nascidos de muito baixo peso. O desenvolvimento da retinopatia da prematuridade foi inversamente proporcional ao peso e à idade gestacional ao nascimento.Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do SulUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre Setor de Retinopatia da PrematuridadeHCPA Serviço de NeonatologiaUNIFESPSciEL

Retinopatía de la precocidad

Este artigo aborda aspectos atuais sobre a retinopatia da prematuridade (ROP), entidade clínica responsável pela maior quantidade de crianças cegas em todo o mundo nos dias de hoje. Procura chamar a atenção para a importância da triagem na busca da doença em todos os prematuros de muito baixo peso e a necessidade de que a retinopatia seja identificada no momento adequado e tratada pelo laser ao redor da 37ª semana de idade pós-concepção, quando ainda existe chance para o tratamento que deverá ser feito, preferencialmente, durante o tempo de permanência da criança no Centro de Neonatologia. O exame oftalmológico inicial deve ser realizado sob oftalmoscopia binocular indireta e dilatação das pupilas, entre a 4ª e a 6ª semana de vida, em todos os recém-nascidos com peso igual ou menor do que 1500 gramas e/ou com idade gestacional igual ou inferior a 32 semanas conforme proposto pelas Diretrizes Brasileiras de Triagem e Detecção da ROP. O acompanhamento das crianças com ou sem retinopatia deverá seguir periodicamente até a normalização da vascularização da retina temporal na zona III e deverá ser mantido pelos primeiros anos de vida para a prevenção da ambliopia e do estrabismo e para a correção das altas ametropias relacionadas com a prematuridade.This study discusses current aspects regarding retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), a clinical disorder that leads to the highest number of children in the world becoming blind. This emphasizes the importance of screening for the disease in all preterm infants with a very low birth weight, identifying retinopathy at a proper time, and treating it using laser at about 37 weeks post-conception while there is still a chance for treatment, which should preferably be conducted during the child stay at the Neonatology Center. The first ophthalmic examination should be performed using binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy, with dilated pupils, between 4 and 6 weeks after birth in all newborns weighing 1,500 g or less and/or at the gestational age of 32 weeks or less, as proposed by the Brazilian Guidelines for ROP Screening and Detection. The follow-up of children with or without retinopathy should be conducted periodically until vascularization of Zone 3 temporal retina is normalized, and this normalization should be maintained during the first years of life for the prevention of amblyopia and strabismus and for the correction of refractive errors related to prematurity.Este artículo aborda aspectos actuales sobre a retinopatía de la precocidad (ROP), entidad clínica responsable por la mayor cantidad de niños ciegos en todo el mundo en la actualidad. Busca llamar la atención a la importancia de un sistema de clasificación (triaje) en la búsqueda de la enfermedad en todos los prematuros de muy bajo peso y la necesidad de que la retinopatía se identifique en el momento adecuado y se trate por medio de láser alrededor de la 37ª semana de edad post-concepción, cuando aún hay oportunidad para el tratamiento que deberá hacerse, preferencialmente, durante el tiempo de permanencia del niño en el Centro de Neonatología. El análisis oftalmológico inicial se debe realizar bajo oftalmoscopia binocular indirecta y dilatación de las pupilas, entre la 4ª y la 6ª semana de vida, en todos los recién nacidos con peso igual o menor que 1500 gramos y/o con edad gestacional igual o inferior a 32 semanas, según lo proponen las Directrices Brasileñas de Triaje y Detección de ROP. El acompañamiento de los niños con o sin retinopatía deberá seguir periódicamente hasta la normalización de la vascularización de la retina temporal en la zona III y deberá mantenerse los primeros años de vida para la prevención de la ambliopía y del estrabismo, y para la corrección de las altas ametropías relacionadas a la precocidad

Weight gain measured at 6 weeks after birth as a predictor for severe retinopathy of prematurity: study with 317 very low birth weight preterm babies

Recent studies suggest that postnatal weight gain can play an important role in the development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).To analyze the low weight gain (WG) from birth to 6 weeks of life to predict the development of severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) among very low birth weight preterm babies (VLBW).A prospective cohort study included 317 newborns with birth weight (BW) a parts per thousand currency sign1,500 g and gestational age (GA) a parts per thousand currency sign32 weeks. the main outcome was the development of severe ROP (defined as threshold ROP and higher stages of ROP). in all patients, the proportion of the WG was defined as the preterm weight measured at 6 weeks of life minus the BW divided by the BW. Seventeen risk factors for ROP were studied by univariate analysis. Chi-square test and Student's t-test were used to compare no-ROP/mild ROP patients and severe ROP patients. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used to determine if the WG proportion was independently related to severe ROP development and if it was capable of predicting severe ROP. Ophthalmological examinations started between the fourth and sixth week of life, and were repeated until the 45th week of postmenstrual age. Weight gain proportion was always calculated at completed 6 weeks of life.Mean GA and mean BW of the whole cohort were 29.6 weeks (+/- 1.9) and 1,124 grams (+/- 239.5) respectively. After logistic regression, the low WG proportion under 51.2% from the BW, measured at 6 weeks of life, showed OR 3.007 (95%CI: 1.195-7.566; P = 0.019), for severe ROP, when adjusted for BW and for any stage intraventricular hemorrhage. Area under the ROC curve was 0.63 (95%CI: 0.495-0.761; P = 0.037). for the discriminative cutoff of 51.2% of the WG proportion, sensitivity and specificity values were 66.3% and 62.6% respectively. Positive and negative predictive values were 10.2% and 94.7% respectively.Low WG by six weeks of life is an important and independent risk factor for severe ROP and is capable to predict the development of severe ROP in most patients that needed treatment.Univ Fed Rio Grande do Sul, Sch Med, Dept Ophthalmol, BR-90035003 Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilHosp Clin Porto Alegre, BR-90035003 Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilUniv Fed Rio Grande do Sul, Dept Pediat, Newborn Sect, BR-90035003 Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Sch Med, Dept Ophthalmol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Sch Med, Dept Ophthalmol, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Oral glucose for pain relief during examination for retinopathy of prematurity: a masked randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVE: Ophthalmologic examination for retinopathy of prematurity is a painful procedure. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions have been proposed to reduce pain during eye examinations. This study aims to evaluate the analgesic effect of 25% glucose using a validated pain scale during the first eye examination for retinopathy of prematurity in preterm infants with birth weigh

Persistência da vasculatura fetal: características oftalmológicas, manuseio da catarata e resultados cirúrgicos

PURPOSES: To describe ocular features, management of cataract and functional outcomes in patients with persistent fetal vasculature. METHODS: Retrospective, descriptive case series of patients with persistent fetal vasculature. Data were recorded from the Congenital Cataract Section of Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil from 2001 to 2012. All patients were evaluated for sex, age at diagnosis, systemic findings, laterality, age at surgery, and initial and final follow-up visual acuities. Follow-up and complications after cataract surgery were recorded. Ultrasound was performed in all cases and ocular eco-Doppler was performed in most. RESULTS: The study comprised 53 eyes from 46 patients. Age at diagnosis ranged from 5 days of life to 10 years-old (mean 22.7 months). Twenty-seven patients were male (58.7%). Persistent fetal vasculature was bilateral in 7 patients (15.2%). Forty-two eyes (79.2%) had combined (anterior and posterior forms) PFV presentation, 5 eyes (9.4%) had only anterior persistent fetal vasculature presentation and 6 eyes (11.3%) had posterior persistent fetal vasculature presentation. Thirty-eight eyes (71.7%) were submitted to cataract surgery. Lensectomy combined with anterior vitrectomy was performed in 18 eyes (47.4%). Phacoaspiration with intraocular lens implantation was performed in 15 eyes (39.5%), and without lens implantation in 5 eyes (13.2%). Mean follow-up after surgery was 44 months. Postoperative complications were posterior synechiae (3 cases), retinal detachment (2 cases), phthisis (3 cases), posterior capsular opacification (8 cases), inflammatory pupillary membrane (5 cases), glaucoma (4 cases), intraocular lens implantation displacement (1 case) and vitreous hemorrhage (2 cases). Complications were identified in 19 (50%) of the 38 operated eyes. Visual acuity improved after cataract surgery in 83% of the eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with persistent fetal vasculature have variable clinical presentation. There is an association of persistent fetal vasculature with congenital cataract. Severe complications are related to cataract surgery in patients with persistent fetal vasculature, but 83% of the operated eyes improved visual acuity.OBJETIVOS: Descrever as características oftalmológicas, o tratamento da catarata e os resultados funcionais em pacientes com o diagnóstico de persistência da vasculatura fetal. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo e descritivo de série de casos de pacientes com persistência da vasculatura fetal. Dados foram obtidos dos arquivos do Setor de Catarata Congênita da Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Brasil, durante o período entre 2001 a 2012. Todos os pacientes foram avaliados quanto ao sexo, idade ao diagnóstico, achados sistêmicos, lateralidade, idade à cirurgia e acuidade visual inicial e final ao seguimento. Complicações após a cirurgia da catarata foram analisadas. Ultrassom foi realizado em todos os casos e eco-Doppler foi realizado na maioria dos pacientes. RESULTADOS: O estudo incluiu 53 olhos de 46 pacientes. Idade ao diagnóstico variou de 5 dias de vida até 10 anos (média 22,7 meses). Vinte e sete pacientes eram masculinos (58,7%). A persistência da vasculatura fetal foi bilateral em 7 pacientes (15,2%). Quarenta e dois olhos (79,2%) apresentaram formas combinadas (anterior e posterior) da persistência da vasculatura fetal, 5 olhos (9,4%) tinham somente a forma anterior da persistência da vasculatura fetal e 6 olhos (11,3%) tinham a forma posterior de apresentação da persistência da vasculatura fetal. Trinta e oito olhos (71,7%) foram operados de catarata. Lensectomia com vitrectomia anterior foi realizada em 18 olhos (47,4%). Facoaspiração com implante de lente intraocular foi realizada em 15 olhos (39,5%) e sem implantação de lente em 5 olhos (13,2%). O seguimento médio após cirurgia foi de 44 meses. Complicações pós-operatórias foram: sinéquias posteriores (3 casos), descolamento da retina (2 casos), atrofia do globo ocular (3 casos), opacificação da cápsula posterior (8 casos), membrana pupilar inflamatória (5 casos), glaucoma (4 casos), deslocamento da lente implantada (1 caso) e hemorragia vítrea (2 casos). Complicações foram identificadas em 19 (50%) dos 38 olhos operados. Acuidade visual melhorou após a cirurgia da catarata em 83% dos olhos. CONCLUSÕES: Pacientes com persistência da vasculatura fetal tem apresentações clínicas variáveis. Existe uma associação da persistência da vasculatura fetal com catarata congênita. Complicações graves são associadas com a cirurgia da catarata nesses pacientes, mas 83% dos olhos operados melhoraram a acuidade visual nesse estudo.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) School of Medicine Department of OphthalmologyUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Department of OphthalmologyUniversidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul School of Medicine Department of OphthalmologyUNIFESP, School of Medicine Department of OphthalmologyUNIFESP, Department of OphthalmologySciEL

Multiple pregnancies and its relationship with the development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)

Background: The influence of multiple gestation on the occurrence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is still not completely understood. Objectives: To verify the incidence of any stage of ROP and threshold ROP in singletons and in multiple gestation among preterm infants. Methods: This was an institutional, prospective, and descriptive cohort study, which included preterm newborns with birth weight (BW) of 1500 g or less and/or gestational age (GA) of 32 weeks or less, as admitted to the neonatal units at Laranjeiras and Amparo Hospitals in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between January 2001 and July 2005, and whom remained hospitalized for at least 28 days. There were no exclusion criteria. Patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 included multiples; and Group 2 consisted of singletons. Results: A total of 159 infants that remained in neonatal unit care for at least 28 days were included in this study. Group 1 comprised 56 (35%) multiples; and Group 2 comprised 103 (65%) singletons. Mean BW was 1072 g ± 272 and 1089 g ± 282 in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (analysis of variance [ANOVA] P . 0.05). Mean GA among multiple gestation (Group 1) was 29 weeks ± 2.1; and 29 weeks ± 2.4 among singletons (Group 2) (ANOVA P . 0.05). Days in oxygen therapy ranged from 0 to 188 days. Median among Group 1 was 15 days, while median in Group 2 was 10 days (Kruskal–Wallis P . 0.05) Any stage ROP was detected in 66 (41.5%) of the whole cohort comprising 159 babies. Among the 56 multiples, 30 (53.6%) achieved any stage ROP, and among 103 singletons, 36 (35%) achieved any stage ROP (Chi-square test P , 0.05). Threshold ROP occurred in 12 (7.5%) of the 159 patients included. Three (5.3%) patients from Group 1 and nine (8.7%) patients in Group 2 reached threshold ROP needing laser treatment (Fisher’s exact test P . 0.05). Conclusion: This study showed higher frequency of any stage of ROP in twins and triplets but not regarding threshold disease. Because of the relatively small number of patients in this sample, other studies are necessary to determine if gemelarity plays a role in the occurrence of ROP

Intravitreal ranibizumab as a primary or a combined treatment for severe retinopathy of prematurity

Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the outcomes of severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in zone I or posterior zone II treated with intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) as monotherapy or combined treatment with laser photocoagulation. Methods: This is a retrospective study analyzing clinical records of the included patients. Patients were divided into two groups: group 1 included patients who received only IVR treatment; and group 2 was subdivided into group 2A – including patients with IVR as initial treatment and complementary laser photocoagulation if retinal neovascularization or plus disease did not regress, and group 2B – including patients with initial laser photocoagulation and IVR as rescue therapy. Favorable outcomes were regression of the retinal neovascularization and plus disease, meaning control of the disease. Unfavorable outcomes were progression to stages 4 and 5 of ROP. Results: Fifty-seven eyes were included in the study. Mean birth weight and gestational age were 1,281±254 g and 29.5±2.1 weeks, respectively. Group 1 comprised of 16 eyes, with favorable outcomes in 14 eyes (87.5%). Group 2 comprised of 41 eyes, with favorable outcomes in 29 eyes (70.7%), in a mean follow-up period of 12.8 months. Conclusion: IVR was effective to treat severe cases of ROP as a primary or a combined treatment. Forty-three of the 57 treated eyes (75.4%) achieved regression of ROP and favorable outcomes

Incidência e resultados do tratamento da retinopatia da prematuridade no Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brasil

Introduction: Retinopathy of prematurity is a leading cause of blindness in children. This paper aims to evaluate the incidence, the rate of diode laser treatment and the six-month outcomes in all very low birth weight preterm infants from Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil, between October 2002 and October 2006, screened for the disease according to the Brazilian recommendations. Methods: A prospective cohort was conducted on 322 premature children with birth weight ≤1.500 grams or a gestational age at birth ≤32 weeks. All patients were examined by indirect binocular ophthalmoscopy with pupil’s dilation after the 6th week of life. The examination were repeated depending on the disease classification. Results: Retinopathy of prematurity occurred in 82 infants in an incidence rate of 25.47%. Threshold disease occurred in 18 of the patients (5.59%). All of them had the disease affecting posterior Zone II needing laser treatment under general anesthesia or sedation in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unity. Three of the treated children needed a second laser session. One patient of the re-treated group needed scleral buckling surgery with an equatorial silicon band after progression for stage 4 of ROP. One patient missed the opportunity for laser and the disease progressed to stage 5 of ROP and blindness. Conclusions: The incidence of retinopathy at our institution was similar to international results and also the percentage of threshold disease needing treatment. Laser photocoagulation was effective to stabilize the disease among 17 treated patients. One non-treated patient had evolution for blindness