RETINOPATHY OF PREMATURITY IN A DANISH NEONATAL INTENSIVE-CARE UNIT, 1985-1991

During the 7 year period 1985 to 1991, 170 infants born in Hvidovre Ho spital, Denmark, with birthweight less-than-or-equal-to 1500 g and ges tational age less-than-or-equal-to 32 completed weeks survived at leas t 8 weeks or more and had eye examinations carried out. Forty-five inf ants had ophthalmoscopic evidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Eighteen developed blindness or severely reduced vision and 6 develop ed unilateral blindness. In 21 the ROP changes regressed. Eight infant s eventually developed severe myopia. The 45 infants with ROP were com pared with the 125 without ROP. There was no difference in birth weigh t, gender, or mode of delivery. Significant difference was found in ge stational age, asphyxia, intensive treatment and complications. Partic ularly infants with ROP born with gestational age 27 to 29 weeks neede d prolonged and more intensive treatment than infants without ROP. Inf ants with ROP had more frequently long term sequels from the central n ervous system than infants without ROP.