Original Article October 07, 2026 October 07, 2026

Incidence, risk factors, and severity of retinopathy of prematurity in a university hospital: a retrospective cohort study

DOI: 10.37039/1982.8551.20260092

ABSTRACT

Objective:

To evaluate the incidence, epidemiological profile, risk factors, and severity of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in preterm newborns (PTNB) and very low birth weight (VLBW) infants at a university hospital.

Methods:

This was a retrospective cohort study using data from newborns admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) between January 2014 and December 2022. Preterm newborns with birth weight ≤1500 g and/or gestational age ≤32 weeks were included. Maternal and neonatal information was analyzed.

Results:

A total of 853 newborns were included, of whom 171 (20%) developed ROP, predominantly in mild forms. The main risk factors identified were longer duration of oxygen therapy (RR: 1.016; 95% CI: 1.013–1.019), longer duration of mechanical ventilation (RR: 1.014; 95% CI: 1.009–1.019), use of postnatal corticosteroids for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (RR: 3.182; 95% CI: 2.300–4.402), patent ductus arteriosus (RR: 1.692; 95% CI: 1.219–2.348), and blood transfusion (RR: 1.699; 95% CI: 1.199–2.408).

Conclusion:

The incidence of ROP was 20% and was mainly associated with neonatal clinical and therapeutic factors.