SEVERE RETINOPATHY OF PREMATURITY IN INFANTS FROM THE SOUTHERN REGIONS OF SWEDEN

We studied children born in 1986-1989 with severe retinopathy of prema turity (ROP) defined as stage 3 ''plus'' or more. Sixteen children fro m the southern and central areas of Sweden were identified and 15 of t hese were referred to Orebro Medical Center Hospital for surgical trea tment of ROP. The incidence of severe ROP was estimated as 0.8 per 10 000 newborns per year. All children were born before 29 weeks' gestati on and weighed less than 1310 g; they also needed ventilatory support for a long time. The overall neonatal morbidity was high. A model for eye examination in premature newborns is suggested.