Objective: To determine the risk factors which predispose to the development of threshold retinopathy of prematurity among patients of retinopathy of prematurity.
Methods: The ROP clinic records of a 3 year period were retrospectively studied to identify babies with threshold ROP (T-ROP) and sub-threshold ROP (ST-ROP). Various antenatal and perinatal risk factors, neonatal morbidity and therapeutic interventions were compared between the 2 groups.
Results: Of the total of 108 babies, 55 had T-ROP and 53 had ST-ROP. On univariate analysis, packed cell transfusions for anemia, double volume exchange transfusions (DVET), number of DVET, ventilation, gestational age <or= 28 weeks and apneic episodes were significantly higher in the T-ROP group. On multivariate analysis, the administration of packed cells [OR 2.8, 95 PERCENT CI 1.2, 6.6; (p = 0.014)] and DVET [OR 2.7, 95 PERCENT CI 1.2, 6.5; (p = 0.022)] emerged as independent risk factors of T-ROP.
Conclusion: Administration of blood products increases the risk of developing T-ROP among patients who have ROP. There is a need to exercise caution in the use of blood products in premature newborns.