Retinopathy of prematurity like retinopathy in full-term infants.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to assess clinical characteristics, risk factors, and management outcomes of retinal changes similar to retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), seen in full-term infants.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective review of 46 eyes of 23 patients, born at full term or near full term and diagnosed to have active ROP-like retinopathy or sequelae of ROP-like retinopathy.

RESULTS: Mean birth weight (BW) and gestational age (GA) were 2342 ± 923 g (range, 1200-4160 g) and 38.5 ± 1.85 weeks (range, 37-40 weeks). Mean age at the time of diagnosis was 3.5 ± 8.75 years (range, 1 month-16 years). Stage 1 and 2 of retinopathy was seen in 10 eyes (21.7%), threshold disease with plus disease in 12 eyes (26%) and Stage 4 or 5 in 14 eyes (30.4%). Involutional sequelae were noted in 10 eyes (21.7%). Twenty-one eyes (45.6%) underwent appropriate treatment in the form of laser, cryotherapy, or retinal detachment surgery. Eight eyes (17.4%) with advanced sequelae such as total closed funnel retinal detachment and macular fold were not treated. Mean follow-up was 3 years (range, 1 month to 12 years). At the last follow-up, 29 eyes (63%) had a favorable structural outcome ( P < 0.001). Among the patients in whom visual acuity could be assessed (16 eyes), favorable visual outcome was noted in 9 eyes (56.2%). Low BW ( P = 0.038), multiple births ( P = 0.013), respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) ( P = 0.001), phototherapy ( P = 0.001), and oxygen administration ( P < 0.001) were significantly associated with the development of ROP-like retinopathy in these full-term infants.

CONCLUSIONS: ROP-like retinopathy can occur in full-term and near full-term infants and can potentially lead to permanent visual impairment. Screening of infants with risk factors such as oxygen administration, RDS, multiple births, and low BW, regardless of GA, may reduce visual impairment.