Changes in the Incidence of Retinopathy of Prematurity in Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants in South China From 2004 to 2018.

PURPOSE To report the changes in incidence and risk factors of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants over a 15-year period in South China. METHODS The medical records of ELBW infants were retrospectively reviewed through established database of Shenzhen Screening for ROP Cooperative Group. The incidence and severity of ROP were compared among three successive 5-year periods (P1: 2004-2008, P2: 2009-2013, P3: 2014-2018). Gestational age, birth weight, plurality, mode of delivery and gender were analyzed as risk factors for ROP in ELBW infants. RESULTS Among the 1099 included ELBW infants, 557 (50.7%) had ROP, and 328 (29.9%) had severe ROP. The highest incidence of ROP (87.5%) and severe ROP (82.5%) were seen in P1. From P2 to P3, the incidence of ROP and severe ROP increased from 45.9% to 50.3% for ROP (P < .05) and from 26.4% to 28.3% for severe ROP (P < .05), respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis found only gestational age has a significant effect on the incidence of ROP and severe ROP. CONCLUSIONS From 2004 to 2018, the incidence of ROP and severe ROP in ELBW infants in South China was 50.7% and 29.9%, respectively. Controlling for the other risk factors, only gestational age was statistically associated with ROP in ELBW infants.