Retinopathy of Prematurity: Incidence and Risk Factor Analysis in Small for Gestational Age Neonates Compared to Appropriate for Gestational Age

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) among preterm neonates who were born small for gestational age (SGA) and appropriate for gestational age (AGA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective cohort study among preterm neonates born <34 weeks of gestational age (GA) and <2000 grams birth weight (BW) was conducted. The neonates were divided into AGA and SGA group. Incidence of ROP and risk factors was compared among the groups. RESULT: 290 neonates were screened [AGA: 240 (82.8%); SGA: 50 (17.2%)]. The mean birth-weight and gestational age were 1510.7 ± 390.64 grams and 31.4 ± 4.8 weeks, respectively. The incidence of ROP in AGA and SGA was 30.2% and 33%, respectively (P = 0.58), whereas the incidence of type 1 ROP in AGA and SGA was 14% and 19% (P = 0.41). Male sex, anemia, oxygen administration, surfactant administration, sepsis, and PIH were independent significant risk factors for ROP on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: This study showed that both AGA and SGA premature infants have similar incidence of ROP. SGA is not an independent risk factor for ROP.