Retinopathy of Prematurity in 5 Neonatal Units at
the 7th Health District of Thailand
Pongsatorn Paopongsawan MD1, Junya Jirapradittha MD1, Pakaphan Kiatchoosakun MD1, Pantipa Wongwai MD2
Affiliation :
1 Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
2 Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Objective : To study the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity [ROP] and factors associated with ROP at 5 different hospitals in the
7th health region of Thailand and to propose ROP screening criteria with higher sensitivity for ROP detection suitable for the region.
Materials and Methods : A retrospective descriptive study conducted by reviewing the results of screening eye examinations of
662 infants obtained from the included hospitals during October 2013 to September 2014.
Results : From the present study, 338 infants (58.6%) were males with mean birth weight of 1,604±525 grams and mean gestational
age of 31.8±2.9 weeks. The regional overall rate of ROP was 31.7% and ROP rate was statistically signi(cid:976)icant higher in infants with
birth weight less than 1,500 grams (46.8% vs. 19.1%, p<0.001) and gestational age less than 32 weeks (47.0% vs. 20.7%, p<0.001).
The hospital where the infant admitted was also a signi(cid:976)icant factor, while the survival rate was not statistically signi(cid:976)icant associated
with rate of ROP. Suggested criteria for ROP screening eye examination were infants with birth weight less than 1,935 grams or
gestational age less than 34 weeks which would have sensitivity for ROP detection at 90.0% and 91.4%, respectively.
Conclusion : The rate of ROP was different among hospitals which could be related to different practices in neonatal care and should
be studied furthermore. Criteria for screening eye examination should be adjusted for each hospital to improve the sensitivity for
ROP detection with appropriate ophthalmologists’ workload.
Keywords : Retinopathy of prematurity, ROP, Risk factors, Criteria, ROP screening, Different hospital
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