This was the first epidemiology study of retinopathy of prematurity (RoP) in Cyprus, aiming to validate their criteria for RoP screening. This involved a retrospective review of discharge letters of all infants in RoP screening from January 2023 to December 2023. All were admitted to the only neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Cyprus for premature and unwell newborns. Inclusion criteria for RoP screening were gestational age up to 31 weeks, 6 days, or birth weight <1501g. Weekly screening was undertaken and RoP severity was described as per the International Classification of RoP (third edition). The study reviewed 183 infants and 112 met the 2008 UK screening criteria. The remaining infants (n=71) exceeded gestational age/birth weight thresholds but were screened due to clinical risk factors. Overall, mean gestational age was 30.2 ±2.7 weeks and mean birth weight was 1382.5 ±423g. There were 115 single births and 68 twins/triplets, with 85% white ethnicity. RoP cumulative incidence was 18% (n=33 of 183). Excluding the 71 outlier infants, incidence was 28.5% (n=33 of 112). Infants with RoP had significantly lower mean gestational age and birth weight than those without. Use of the 2008 UK guidelines identified all type I RoP. Sensitivity was 97% and specificity was 93.9%. Eleven infants developed type I and 9 required treatment with a rate of 9.82% for treatment-requiring RoP. This rate was similar to other countries. The authors conclude the UK 2008 RoP guidelines are valid and safe for use in Cyprus NICU as no case of severe RoP was missed. Their group of extreme premature infants with gestational age of 22–30 weeks was at high risk and all infants developed RoP: 40% treated, 40% died and 20% did not need treatment.
Overview of RoP in a Cyprus population
Reviewed by Fiona Rowe
One-year review of retinopathy of prematurity in Cyprus: risk factors and screening effectiveness.
CONTRIBUTOR
Fiona Rowe (Prof)
Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, UK.
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