Purpose. To investigate the incidence and the severity of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in extremely preterm infants born before 28 weeks of gestation in southeastern Turkey. Methods. A retrospective chart review was performed for infants born before 28 weeks of gestation. The following data were reviewed: gender, gestational age (GA), birth weight (BW), zone and stage of ROP, presence of plus disease, and treatment for ROP if needed. Infants were divided into 2 groups according to GA as follows: group 1 included infants of GAs 25 weeks and under; group 2 included infants of GAs less than 28 weeks and over 25 weeks. Results. The incidence of any ROP in the whole cohort, in group 1, and in group 2, was 66.0%, 95.5%, and 58.6%, respectively. Incidence of any ROP was significantly associated with BW and GA ( and , resp.). The overall incidence of type 1 ROP was 35.8% (59.1% in group 1 and 29.9% in group 2). Development of type 1 ROP was independently associated with GA. Conclusion. Any ROP was significantly associated with BW and GA. Extremely premature infants with lower GA were found to be more likely to develop type 1 ROP. BW cannot predict the development of type 1 ROP. 1. Introduction Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is an important cause of vision loss in children, especially in extremely premature infants [1]. The survival rates of extremely premature infants have been increased with the improvement in the neonatal intensive care technologies and increased availability of healthcare services in recent years [2]. Infants with gestational age (GA) less than 28 weeks have particularly more risk for the development of ROP in developed countries [3, 4]. In developing countries, the incidence of ROP is rising with the improvement of the survival rates of extremely premature infants [5, 6]. These infants are more tending to develop severe ROP and require treatment [7]. In the present study, we aimed to determine the incidence and the severity of ROP in extremely premature infants in southeast part of Turkey. 2. Materials and Methods Dicle University Health Research Ethics Committee approved the study. The medical records of the premature infants examined between September 2010 and August 2012 in Retina Department of Dicle University Medical Faculty were retrospectively reviewed. The patients with a GA under 28 weeks were included in the study. The patients who died prior to retinal screening examination and had lack of relevant data in their medical records were excluded. All patients were first examined using indirect ophthalmoscope at 31 weeks of GA
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