MATERNAL RISK-FACTORS FOR RETINOPATHY OF PREMATURITY - A POPULATION-BASED STUDY

Background. The aim of the study was to investigate maternal risk fact ors for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and also to describe risk fac tors for Prematurity per se in our population. Design. A retrospective , population-based study. Material and methods. The study group includ ed the mothers (identified with the help of a National Birth Register) of 202 single-born preterm infants with a birth weight of 1500 grams or less, from a previous population-based study. From the same registe r we also received information on 307 mothers of full term pregnancies for description of risk factors for preterm birth. Data from antenata l clinics, labor rooms and neonatal units were studied. Results. Univa riate analysis of maternal risk factors for ROP revealed a few positiv e findings, In a further logistic multiple regression analysis, apart from gestational age at birth and birth weight, only essential hyperte nsion prior to pregnancy was a predicting risk factor (odds/ratio 8.36 , 95% confidence Interval 1.62-43.0). Conclusions. Prematurity pet se remains the strongest risk factor for ROP.