Retinopathy of prematurity, a decrease in frequency and severity. Trends over 16 years in a Danish county

PURPOSE: To analyse the trends over 16 years (1982-97) in a Danish county regarding the clinical appearance of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). METHODS: The data for birth years 1993-97 regarding the regular ophthalmic surveillance for ROP in the region have been analysed. With gestational age (GA) 32 weeks and/or a birthweight (BW) 1750 g as attempted screening limits a total of 177 premature infants were surveyed. Comparison was made with studies of a similar set-up from the preceding four 3-year periods comprising a total of 814 subjects. RESULTS: The number of survivors regarded at a higher risk of developing ROP (GA and BW both <32 weeks/1750 g, n=478) showed an even increase over the five investigation periods. The ROP frequency, however, fell from a level of 39% to 10%, there were fewer with severe sequels to ROP, and the children surveyed 'above limits' eventually avoided ROP. CONCLUSIONS: Using the ROP profile as a yardstick for the quality of the neonatal service given to the most immature newborns over the period 1982-97, the risk limits regarding GA and BW have gone down. More and more of the heavier preterm babies now escape ROP. A significant decrease in frequency of ROP in the more immature groups has been observed, and fewer cases have progressed to visual impairment.     

Analysis of risk factors for retinopathy of prematurity

AIM: To analyze the incidence and risk factors for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 568 premature infants from September 2005 to December 2010 with birth weight(BW) equal to or less than 2 500g or a gestational age(GA) at birth of 34 weeks or less. All of the members were examined by indirect binocular ophthalmoscopy. RESULTS: ROP occurred with an incidence rate of 10.7% among 568 premature infants, and stages 3 and above ROP occurred with an incidence rate of 2.5%. This study showed the infants were more prone to develop ROP with short geststional age, low BW, long time of oxygen inhalation, and severe infants diseases. Twins had a significantly higher rate of ROP(18.3%) than singleton babies(9.8%), ROP were severer in twins than singleton babies . CONCLUSION: Short GA, low BW, long time of oxygen inhalation, severe infants diseases, and non-singleton babies were the most significant risk factors associated with ROP.     

严重早产儿视网膜病变危险因素分析

目的分析严重早产儿视网膜病变（ROP）的危险因素，为合理制定ROP筛查标准提供参考依据。方法回顾性分析2002年12月至2004年4月期间我院眼科就诊的168例孕龄<37周的早产儿临床资料。记录其性别、胎数(BC)、孕龄（GA）、出生体重（BW）、氧疗时间以及双眼充分散瞳后双目间接检眼镜检查所见的视网膜血管发育情况。按ROP国际分类法（ICROP）记录检查结果，1、2、3期为轻度ROP，阈值病变、4期和5期为严重ROP。应用多元Logistic回归分析分析ROP与性别、BC、GA、BW、氧疗时间等因素之间的关系。结果168例早产儿336只眼中，严重ROP 47例91只眼，分别占患儿例数和眼数的28.0%、27.1%。其中，阈值病变20只眼，占6.0%；4期病变11只眼，占3.3%。4期病变中，4A期2只眼，占0.6%；4B期9只眼,占2.7%。5期60只眼，占17.8%。各因素中，GA、BW和氧疗时间对严重ROP的发生有影响（P值分别为0.000、0.000和0.015，α=0.05），性别和BC与ROP无关（P值分别为0.640和0.084，α=0.05）。亚变量统计分析显示，当GA≤30周或BW≤1500 或氧疗时间>4d时早产儿患严重ROP的危险性显著增加。结论严重ROP的发生受GA、BW和氧疗时间的影响，而与性别和BC无关。GA≤30周或BW≤1500g或氧疗时间>4d的早产儿患严重ROP的危险性显著增加，建议重点对此类早产儿进行筛查。（中华眼底病杂志，2005，21：271-274）     

Surveillance for retinopathy of prematurity in a Danish country. Epidemiological experience over 20 years

PURPOSE: An updated analysis of the trends in a Danish county regarding retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), outlining its natural history over the years 1982-2001. METHODS: Epidemiological data are given of the 132 infants in the county with birth years 1998-2001 prospectively under surveillance for ROP. The customary national screening limits of gestational age (GA) and birthweight (BW) of 32 weeks/1750 g were generally adhered to. The findings are compared to five previous consecutive reports of a similar set-up, now making a total of 1123 who have been under surveillance. RESULTS: With focus on the 20 years' newborns at a higher risk for ROP in the county (GA/BW both under the above limits; n=591) the continuous improvement up to 1998--as reflected by ROP frequency, its severity, and risk levels according to GA/BW--appears to have been interrupted. Compared to the previous 4-year period, the percentage acquiring ROP in 1998-2001 increased from 10 to 31%, and four recent cases qualified for retinal ablation therapy, compared with zero in the previous 4-year period. However, there were no advanced stages (of at least ROP 3) in infants above 30 weeks/1500 g at delivery. CONCLUSIONS: (a) Using the ROP also as a neonatal treatment quality parameter, the present trend (progress stopped) should be followed attentively. So far, we have no clues regarding therapy-related or other causality. (b) Despite the suggested worsening, a lowering of the ophthalmic GA and BW screening limits now seems justifiable. With a view also to the high-risk Copenhagen data and the national childhood visual impairment register, a reduction of the values to 31 weeks/1500 g should be considered.     

Screening for retinopathy of prematurity: results of one centre between 1991 and 2002

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyse the results of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening, stage of disease and time of treatment from one tertiary care centre. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1991 and 2001, 666 infants with a gestational age (GA) < 33 weeks or birth weight (BW) less than < 1501 g were examined. Coagulation treatment was performed in accordance with the Cryo-ROP study, after reaching the threshold. All infants were followed-up until a stable retinal situation was reached. RESULTS: Mean GA of the 666 infants was 28.5 +/- 2.3 weeks. Mean BW was 1180 +/- 372 g. During the years of screening, the GA and BW significantly decreased, but no significant change in the yearly incidence of ROP was detected. 460 (69.1 %) of the infants did not develop any stage of ROP. Maximum stage of ROP in the worse eye was stage one in 51 (7.6 %) infants, stage two in 59 (8.9 %) infants and stage three below threshold in 62 (9.3 %) infants. 34 (5.1 %) infants were treated with coagulation treatment. Mean time of treatment was 36.5 weeks postmenstrual age, or 10.7 weeks postnatal age. Postnatal age showed a better correlation to treatment time than postmenstrual age. No infant was treated before seven weeks of life and not before 32 weeks postmenstrual age. CONCLUSION: In spite of the increasing survival of children with lower GA and BW the incidence of ROP has not increased, and the incidence of ROP in our centre appears to be comparable to other international studies. In contrast to the Cryo-ROP study, treatment time correlates better to postnatal age than to postmenstrual age. All infants who underwent treatment were detected at an appropriate time using German screening guidelines.     

Retinopathy of prematurity in infants with birth weight>or=1250 grams-incidence, severity, and screening guideline cost-analysis.

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence and severity of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in infants with birth weight (BW) 1250 to 1800 g, to examine the influence of systemic conditions on the development of ROP in this population, and to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of various screening guidelines. METHODS: We reviewed records from 259 consecutive infants with BW 1250 to 1800 g who were screened for ROP over a 3-year period. Extracted data included presence and severity of ROP, and the following potential risk factors (RF) for ROP development: sepsis, meningitis, necrotizing enterocolitis, intraventricular hemorrhage greater than stage I, pneumothorax, direct bilirubin>2 mg/dl, central line placement, antibiotic treatment>14 days, greater than seven red blood cell (RBC) transfusions, and mechanical ventilation>96 hours. RESULTS: The overall incidence of ROP in this population was 4.2%. Two infants had stage 3 ROP, one with plus disease. Infants with stage 3 ROP had significantly lower BW (1299 versus 1484 g, P=0.013) and gestational age (GA) (28 versus 31 weeks, P=0.002) than those with no ROP. No infant with BW>1500 g developed treatable ROP. Conditions that best predicted ROP development in the 1501 to 1800 g BW group were sepsis, ventilation >96 hours, antibiotic use >14 days, RBC transfusions greater than seven units, and central line placement (P=0.001, P=0.001, P=0.012, P=0.014 and P=0.035, respectively). All infants with BW>1500 g who developed ROP had greater than or equal to two of these RF. CONCLUSIONS: All cases of high-risk ROP would have been identified by current screening guidelines. Modified screening criteria of infants with (1) BW相似文献   

Do current retinopathy of prematurity screening guidelines miss the early development of pre-threshold type 1 ROP in small for gestational age neonates?

PURPOSE: To investigate whether current UK retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening guidelines miss the early development of pre-threshold type 1 ROP in some neonates born small for gestational age (SGA) and consider if the guidelines should be changed. Methods: Data were collected on neonates of < or =31 completed weeks gestation and/or birth weight (BW) < or =1500 g born over a 37-month period. Babies who did not complete the screening programme in Cambridge and those with other ocular abnormalities were excluded. We compared the time course of ROP progression and the development of the early treatment for ROP pre-threshold ROP in relation to the gestational age and the BW of the babies. RESULTS: A total of 105 neonates were included, 11 (10.5%) were born SGA (less than 9th centile of predicted BW). Of these 11, 2 (18.2%) had pre-threshold ROP at their first screen (median post-natal age (PNA) 6.5 weeks, median postmenstrual age (PMA) 33.5 weeks). No other neonate in this group developed pre-threshold ROP.Of the 94 other neonates, none had pre-threshold ROP at first screen (median PNA 7.1 weeks). Pre-threshold ROP developed in 12 (12.8%) of these babies between 8 and 12 (median 11.5) post-natal weeks, at a PMA of 33-38 (median 35.5) weeks. CONCLUSION: Current UK ROP screening guidelines recommend first screening at 6-7 post-natal weeks. Our study suggests that pre-threshold type 1 ROP can develop before this especially in SGA babies. We suggest that screening should either start at 4 post-natal weeks in such babies, or be based on PMA rather than PNA, to allow timely laser therapy.     

重症早产儿视网膜病变的高危因素分析

目的探讨重症早产儿视网膜病变(ROP)的发生率及高危因素分析对临床筛查的指导意义。方法回顾性分析2013年1月至2015年12月756例早产儿临床资料,记录其孕周、出生体重、吸氧时间、吸氧浓度、APgar评分(1分钟in)、APgar评分(5 min)、败血症、呼吸暂停、机械通气、输血等。应用t检验、卡方检验以及Logistic回归分析分析重症ROP与孕周(GA)、出生体重(BW)、吸氧时间、吸氧浓度、APgar评分(1 min)、APgar评分(5 min)、败血症、呼吸暂停、机械通气、输血等因素之间的关系。结果 756例早产儿,严重ROP发生3.3%。各因素中,孕周较少、低出生体重、长时间吸氧、高浓度吸氧、APgar评分(5 min)<4分,机械通气、输血是重症ROP的高危因素,统计学有显著差异。结论严重ROP的发生受孕周较少、低出生体重、长时间吸氧、高浓度吸氧、APgar评分(5 min)<4分,机械通气、输血影响。特别是GA≤28周或BW≤1000 g早产儿患严重ROP的危险性显著增加,建议重点对此类早产儿进行及时筛查。     

Retinopathy of Prematurity: An Optimum Screening Strategy

OBJECTIVE: We sought to find out whether birth weight of less than 1251 g or gestational age less than 30 weeks could provide a safe and efficient screening criteria of detecting treatable retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). METHODS: Infants either with a birth weight less than 1500 g or gestational age less than 32 weeks were screened for ROP during an 8-year period. RESULTS: In our study, the incidence of ROP was 36 of 187 (19.3%) infants. Although there was a slight increase in the number of infants screened over the years, the incidence of ROP of any stage remained stable. The maximum stage of ROP reached was stage 1 in 10 of 187 (5.3%), stage 2 in 8 of 187 (4.3%), and stage 3 in 18 of 187 (9.6%) infants. Among those with stage 3 disease, threshold ROP was present in 16 of 18 (88.9%). All infants with threshold ROP had a BW less than 1100 g and gestational age less than or equal to 28 weeks. Significantly fewer babies (105/187, or 56%) would have been examined had inclusion criteria of a birth weight of less than 1251 g and gestational age less than 30 weeks been applied. In addition, 31% (134/437) of screening examinations could have been avoided. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that a birth weight of less than 1251 g and gestational age less than 30 weeks can be safely and efficiently used to screen infants without missing a diagnosis of sight-threatening ROP in our catchment population.     

Severe retinopathy of prematurity: longitudinal observation of disease and screening implications

PURPOSE: To test the effectiveness of our Canadian retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening guidelines as applied to high-risk premature infants. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective longitudinal cohort study. SUBJECTS: A total of 969 infants were examined longitudinally between 1991 and 2000 and 46 of these infants screened were treated for severe ROP. METHODS: Data from weekly ROP screening examination results were collected from a geographical area and analysed. RESULTS: The average incidence of severe ROP requiring treatment in the population of premature infants eligible for screening was 48.3 per 1000. In all, 46 infants were treated in this cohort. The mean gestational age (GA) was 25.5 weeks of age and the mean birth weight was 750 g. The mean chronological age (CA) and postmenstrual age (PMA) at the time of first screening was 36 days and 30.7 weeks, respectively. The first identification of any ROP in this group was at a mean CA 60 days and PMA of 34.1 weeks. The mean CA and PMA of the first observation of stage 3 were 74 days and 36.3 weeks. The mean CA and PMA at the time of treatment were 86 days and 37.7 week. CONCLUSIONS: Our observations and analysis indicate the following ROP screening recommendations: infants of 28 weeks of GA or less, infants with a GA between 28 weeks and 30 weeks should have a single 'spot examination' at approximately 37 weeks of PMA (or prior to discharge from hospital) to include possible outliers; infants born with a birth weight of 1250 g or less; initial screening examination should be at 31 weeks of PMA or 4 weeks of CA, whichever is later; in the presence of any active ROP, the infant should be followed every 1-2 weeks; and stage 3 should be followed at least every 7 days.     

超早产儿早产儿视网膜病变的发病情况及危险因素分析

目的:分析8年间孕周<28周的超早产儿（EPI）早产儿视网膜病变（ROP）的发生情况及危险因素。方法:回顾性研究。2011年1月1日至2018年12月31日天津市中心妇产科医院新生儿重症监护病房收治的孕周<28周的EPI 300例纳入研究。记录EPI出生孕周（GA）、出生体重（BW）、性别等基本资料和新生儿呼吸窘迫综合...     

Perinatal Risk Factors for the Retinopathy of Prematurity in Postnatal Growth and Rop Study

Objective: To evaluate perinatal risk factors for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), in a large, broad-risk cohort of premature infants.

Study design: Secondary analysis of data from the Postnatal Growth and ROP (G-ROP) Study, a retrospective cohort study of infants undergoing ROP examinations at 29 North American hospitals in 2006–2012.

Results: Among 7483 infants, 3224 (43.1%) had any ROP and 931 (12.4%) had severe ROP (Type 1 or 2 ROP). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, significant risk factors for any ROP were lower birth weight (BW, odds ratio (OR) = 5.2, <501 g vs. >1250 g), younger gestational age (GA, OR = 32, <25 vs. >29 weeks), 1-min Apgar score <4 (OR = 1.2), race (OR = 1.6, White vs. Black), outborn (OR = 1.5), and delivery room intubation (OR = 1.3); and for severe ROP were lower BW (OR = 20, <501 g vs. >1250 g), younger GA (OR = 30, <25 vs. >29 weeks), male (OR = 1.5), Hispanic ethnicity (OR = 1.8), race (OR = 1.6, White vs. Black), outborn (OR = 1.6), and delivery room intubation (OR = 1.6). Together, these factors predicted well for any ROP (area under ROC curve (AUC) = 0.87) and severe ROP (AUC = 0.89), but BW and GA were the dominant factors for ROP (AUC = 0.86) and severe ROP (AUC = 0.88).

Conclusions: Based on the largest report to date with detailed ROP data from infants meeting current screening guidelines, ROP risk is predominantly determined by the degree of prematurity at birth, with other perinatal factors contributing minimally.     

Surveillance for retinopathy of prematurity in a Copenhagen high-risk sample 1999-2001. Has progress reached a plateau?

PURPOSE: As part of a current quality control to evaluate ophthalmic findings in two combined central Copenhagen neonatology centers for birth years 1999-2001, and to compare the selected sample with data of the national register for childhood visual impairment. METHODS: In a prospective design to report on 372 infants mainly under regular surveillance for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in the stratified functional unit made up by the neonatal wards of Righospitalet (RH) and Hvidovre Hospital (HH). The median neonate under ophthalmic surveillance in the two wards (screening limits usually 32 weeks/1750 g) was given by gestational age (GA) and birthweight (BW) values of 27.3 weeks/907 g and 30.3 weeks/1420 g. respectively. Feedback regarding outcome was secured for those transferred to regional centres. RESULTS: The overall frequency of ROP was 38.5% in the RH (n=252) and 10.8% in the HH sample (n=120). From a peak share above 60% in those <26 weeks/750 g at delivery, the incidence of ROP showed a regular decrease with decreasing immaturity. The centralized retinal ablation therapy for advanced ROP was given to a total of 29, with birth year 2001 unexpectedly showing a peak of 17 cases. Seven of the 29 children treated are now in the register for visually impaired, mainly due to low vision. Fourteen of the 29 had been very small for gestational age. CONCLUSIONS: Supported also by recent regional Danish data, the apparent progress in the fight against ROP over many years seems to have come to a halt. Except for the continued increased survival of extremely preterm babies we have no obvious neonatological indication to explain the suggested 'adverse' trends.     

上海早产儿视网膜病变年度筛查报告

目的 调查上海地区早产儿视网膜病变（ROP）的发生率，初步评 估现有ROP筛查 标准的适合性。方法 2004年2月至2005年1月对复旦大学附属儿科医院 、上海第一妇婴保健 院、上海国际和平妇婴保健院和复旦大学附属妇产科医院新生儿监护室的289例新生儿进行 了ROP筛查。按照卫生部制定的ROP筛查标准，出生体重小于2000 g的早产儿，在婴儿出生后 4~ 6周或矫正胎龄32周开始进行检查，随诊至周边视网膜血管化。再分别按英国推荐的ROP筛查 标准（体重≤1500 g或孕周≤31周）和美国推荐的ROP筛查标准（体重≤1500g或孕周≤28周）对筛查结果进行比较。结果 在接受筛查的289例新生儿中，19例发 生了急性ROP，发生率为6.6％。其中，未达阈值前期病变9例，阈值前病变7例，阈值病变3例。按英国推荐的R OP筛选标准统计，本组289例受检新生儿中，119例需要筛查，而仅遗漏1例1期ROP，ROP发生 率为15.1%；按美国推荐的ROP筛选标准统计，仅83名受检新生儿需要筛查，将有2例1期病 变和1例阈值前期病变遗漏，ROP的发生率为19.3%。结论 上海地区的ROP发生率为6.6%；ROP发 生率低于国外的报道，其原因可能与我们现在的筛查标准有关。有必要根据更多的流行病学 结果，制定出符合我国国情的ROP筛选标准。     

Incidence and Risk Factors of Retinopathy of Prematurity in Babol,North of Iran

Purpose: To determine the incidence and risk factors for the development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) among premature infants.

Methods: New born infants with gestational age < 37 weeks were studied from October 2004 to April 2008. Potential risk factors, like gestational age (GA), birth weight (BW), supplemental oxygen therapy, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), sepsis, blood transfusion, and phototherapy were assessed.

Results: One hundred seventy-three newborn infants were evaluated. Mean BW ± standard deviation (SD) was 1680.64?±?462.5?g and Mean GA ± SD was 32.24?±?2.36 weeks. Incidence of ROP was 19% including 11.5% in prethreshold and 7.5% in threshold stages.

The incidence of ROP was 47.3% for infants with gestational age ≤ 32 weeks. All 33 infants with ROP had a gestational age of ≤ 34 weeks. The incidence of ROP was 33.3% for infants with BW < 1500 gr. ROP developed in 2 (6%) infants with BW > 2000 gr. Blood transfusion (Odds Ratio [OR]?=?2.45, P?=?0.031), phototherapy (OR?=?2.405, P?=?0.038), gestational age (OR?=?14.2, P?=?0001) and ARDS (OR?=?2.1, P?=?0.047) were associated to ROP. With multivariate logistic regression analysis, low GA and blood transfusion were related to ROP.

Conclusions: The results show that the incidence of ROP is relatively high in our region. Low GA, low BW, phototherapy, ARDS, and blood transfusion were the main risk factors for development of ROP.     

Refraction and keratometry in 40 week old premature (corrected age) and term infants

AIM: To compare refraction and keratometry readings between premature and term babies at 40 weeks' postconceptional age (PCA), and the possible effect of birth weight (BW) and gestational age (GA) on ocular parameters. METHODS: 33 preterm babies hospitalised in the neonatal unit between January and March 2002 were matched with 33 term babies born within the same period and hospitalised in the same unit. The preterm group underwent funduscopy at 4-5 weeks after delivery. Ophthalmic examination at 40 weeks' PCA included cycloplegic retinoscopy, funduscopy, and keratometric measurements. Mean and standard deviation of refraction, astigmatic power (plus cylinder), axis of astigmatism, and keratometric reading were calculated and compared between groups and correlated with BW and GA in the premature babies. RESULTS: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) stage 1 or 2 was noted in 88% of the premature babies on the first funduscopy examination, but only in 36% by the corrected age of 40 weeks. Statistically significant between groups differences were found for cycloplegic refraction (p = 0.02 for both eyes) and keratometry (p = 0.001 for both eyes). GA and BW had no impact on the refractive and keratometric findings in the preterm babies. CONCLUSIONS: Babies with mild ROP at the corrected age of 40 weeks have mild hypermetropia compared to the moderate hypermetropia found in term babies (a difference of 50%), and they have higher and steeper keratometric values. The greater corneal curvature may contribute to the development of myopia. Ophthalmologists and parents need to be aware of the possibility of visual dysfunction already very early in life even in relatively older premature infants.     

Incidence of retinopathy of prematurity in extremely premature infants over an 18-year period

Background: To report the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in a subgroup of extremely premature infants admitted to an Australian tertiary centre over an 18‐year period. Design: Retrospective study. Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Participants: Five hundred and fifty‐four infants admitted between 23 and 25.6 weeks gestational age (GA). Methods: The 18‐year study was divided into three 6‐year periods for analysis: period 1 (1992–1997), period 2 (1998–2003) and period 3 (2004–2009). Infants were compared based on their week of GA and by the study period in which they were born. Main Outcome Measures: GA, birthweight, incidence and severity of ROP. Results: Three hundred seventy‐three (67.3%) infants survived until ROP screening, and 351 (63.4%) survived until discharge. ROP incidence increased from 78.2% in period 1 to 86.1% in period 3. Over the entire study, 90.5% of 23‐week GA infants had ROP compared with 89.7% of 24‐week GA infants and 76.1% of 25‐week GA infants. Mean birthweight was significantly lower in infants with any ROP (725.1 g) and ROP of at least stage 3 (720.8 g) compared with infants without ROP (806.5 g) (P < 0.0001). Twenty‐three–week GA infants had more severe ROP (28.6%) than 24 weeks (18.3%) and 25 weeks GA (11.9%). Conclusions: There has been increased survival and incidence of ROP in extremely premature infants over the past 20 years. Lower birthweight and GA are both associated with higher incidence and more severe ROP.     

早产儿视网膜病变的筛查分析

目的 了解早产儿视网膜病变(retinopathy of prematurity,ROP)发病情况.方法 回顾性分析2009年6月至2010年10月间在东莞市人民医院ROP发病率及其特点.结果 接受筛查的早产儿共126例,发生ROP病变的21例,均为双眼发病,发病率16.67%,未到阈值前病变的19例,发病率15.08...     

Retinopathy of prematurity in infants of birth weight > 2000 g after haemorrhagic shock at birth.

BACKGROUND: The risk of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is associated with low birth weight and low gestational age. For ROP screening examination is recommended in infants weighing < or = 1500 g or of less than 32 weeks' gestational age. METHODS: From 1991 ROP screening was performed in 452 premature infants with either a birth weight < or = 1500 g (n = 303) or a birth weight > 1500 g (n = 149) and who required additional oxygen supplementation or underwent surgery with general anaesthesia before estimated term. RESULTS: Unexpectedly, three infants with birth weights between 2080 and 2325 g and a gestational age of 32 or 33 weeks developed stage 2 or 3 ROP. One of these underwent cryocoagulation. In three infants, preterm birth was induced by sudden placental abruption with severe prenatal blood loss followed by haemorrhagic shock. The umbilical cord packed cell volume was reduced to 0.14-0.19 (normal 0.43-0.63). All three infants underwent surgery with general anaesthesia within the first weeks of life. Of the remaining 449 infants none with a birth weight > 1650 g developed any stage of ROP. CONCLUSION: Severe prenatal blood loss requiring blood transfusions and surgery with general anaesthesia may induce higher stages of ROP even in infants with birth weights exceeding the usual screening criteria.