2Uz. Dr., Adana Numune Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Pediatri Kliniği, Adana, Türkiye Objective: The aim of the study is to present the results of a case series consisting premature infants that are excluded from the accepted screening criteria for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in our country and treated for severe ROP.
Materials and Methods: The medical records of the premature infants who were treated between October 2013 and October 2016 at the Screening and Treatment Center for ROP in Adana Numune Training and Research Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. The study included premature infants with a gestational age of 34 weeks and a birth weight of more than 2000 grams and were treated for severe ROP.
Results: 253 infants were treated for ROP between the above mentioned dates. 244 of them had gestational ages below 34 weeks or birth weights below 2000 grams (Group-1). 9 infants had gestational age of over 34 weeks of and 2000 grams of birth weight (Group-2). The mean gestational ages in the group was 34.728±1.853 weeks; the mean birth weight was 2344.583±1.758 grams. The mean for treatment weeks was 40.875±1.628 weeks. Six patients in Group-1 and two patients in Group-2 underwent vitreoretinal surgery due to advanced ROP.
Conclusion: The presence of ROP requiring surgical treatment in bigger premature infants who are excluded from our screening criteria requires an extension of the screening criteria in our region. We believe that all infants born in our region under 35 weeks of gestation and below 2500 grams should be included in the screening program.
Keywords : Retinopathy of prematurity, big premature babies, severe retinopathy