AN ASSOCIATION BETWEEN RETINOPATHY OF PREMATURITY AND INTRAVENTRICULAR HEMORRHAGE IN VERY LOW BIRTH WEIGHT INFANTS

Abstract

An association between cicatricial retinopathy of prematurity and intraventricular hemorrhage in very low birth wt infants was investigated retrospectively. Newborns were studied who weighed .ltoreq. 1500 g at birth, who were .ltoreq. 32 wk gestational age and appropriate by wt, and admitted the first 24 h of life. Diagnosis of retinopathy of prematurity was made by retinal examination at .apprx. 4 wk of age. Diagnosis of intraventricular hemorrhage was made by computed tomography and clinical findings. A total of 138 infants were studied and divided into 2 groups: birth wt .ltoreq. 1000 g (31); birth wt 1001-1500 g (107). There was a statistically significant association between cicatricial retinopathy of prematurity and intraventricular hemorrhage in both groups. There were no statistical differences between birth wt, gestational age, duration of O2 therapy, highest O2 concentration received, Apgar scores, incidence of hyaline membrane disease and patent ductus arteriosus between cicatricial retinopathy of prematurity and no retinopathy of prematurity patients in either group. This association may be an important consideration in the pathogenesis of both vascular diseases.