Antenatal glucocorticoid (AG) therapy has been shown to reduce the mortality and morbidity in premature infants; PG are suggested to worsen the severity of ROP. We did a retrospective analysis of 98 infants with birth weight <1250gms, who were admitted to the NICU at Sparrow Hospital between 01/93 and 06/95 to delineate the factors that are associated with ROP. Eighteen infants expired. Infants were evaluated by an experienced ophthalmologist at 6-8 weeks and subsequently followed serially until ROP resolved. Survanta was used in a rescue strategy, and PG were used for BPD at the discretion of the attending neonatologist. ROP was graded as per the International Classification. Stage 3 or 4 ROP developed 14/80 (17%). Infants with ROP were younger, required FiO2 >40% longer, required more transfusions and were more likely to receive PG. Comparisons were made using the unpaired t-test (•) or Fisher's Exact Test (@). Data reported as mean ± standard error. Multiple logistic regression models incorporating these variables confirmed that a combination of gestational age, severity of illness measures (FiO2 >40%, # transfusions), and postnatal steroid therapy were predictive of ROP. However, none of the variables were independently predictive of severe ROP.Table

Table 1
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