Abstract:AIM: To evaluate the association between findings at the first retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) exam and the subsequent development of type 1 ROP in a large registry of infants. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of the records of infants (n=1582) screened for ROP (2013–2022) was conducted using an ROP registry. Logistic regression using generalized estimating equations was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of developing type 1 ROP following any ROP at initial exam, or for infants who required a one-week follow-up exam following initial exam. RESULTS: Gestational age at delivery of 1582 infants (834 males) were 28.8±2.5wk. Infants with any ROP noted at initial exam had increased odds of developing type 1 ROP [OR=3.64, 95%CI (1.93, 6.88), P<0.001] compared to infants without any ROP noted at initial exam. Infants who required a one-week follow-up exam for any reason after initial ROP exam had even higher odds of developing type 1 ROP [OR=9.31, 95%CI (5.63, 15.4), P<0.001] compared to infants who did not require a one-week follow-up exam. CONCLUSION: Infants with ROP noted at initial exam and infants requiring a one-week follow-up exam are significantly more likely to develop type 1 ROP. When signs of ROP or concern for ROP are noted by the ophthalmologist at the first ROP exam, there is a significant increase in the likelihood of developing type 1 ROP. These data will assist ophthalmologists in informing families and neonatologists of the risk of ROP from the onset of ROP exams.
