Optimised retinopathy of prematurity screening guideline in China based on a 5-year cohort study

Research hotspots and trends in retinopathy of prematurity from 2003 to 2022: a bibliometric analysis

Background

In order to understand the research hotspots and trends in the field of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), our study analyzed the relevant publications from 2003 to 2022 by using bibliometric analysis.

Methods

The Citespace 6.2.R3 system was used to analyze the publications collected from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database.

Results

In total, 4,957 publications were included in this study. From 2003 to 2022, the number of publications gradually increased and peaked in 2022. The United States was the country with the most publications, while Harvard University was the most productive institution. The top co-cited journal PEDIATRICS is published by the United States. Author analysis showed that Hellström A was the author with the most publications, while Good WV was the top co-cited author. The co-citation analysis of references showed seven major clusters: genetic polymorphism, neurodevelopmental outcome, threshold retinopathy, oxygen-induced retinopathy, low birth weight infant, prematurity diagnosis cluster and artificial intelligence (AI). For the citation burst analysis, there remained seven keywords in their burst phases until 2022, including ranibizumab, validation, trends, type 1 retinopathy, preterm, deep learning and artificial intelligence.

Conclusion

Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy and AI-assisted clinical decision-making were two major topics of ROP research, which may still be the research trends in the coming years.

Screening for retinopathy of prematurity in North China

PURPOSE

To analyze the incidence and severity of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in north China, and to evaluate the effectiveness of different ROP screening criteria.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The screening data of premature infants were collected from 2016 to 2021. The severity of ROP was graded according to the International Classification of Retinopathy of Prematurity (2005). And the treatment for ROP followed the Early Treatment for Retinopathy of Prematurity Cooperative Group. The effects of gestational age (GA) and birth weight (BW) on the incidence and severity of ROP were evaluated. The screening data were also analyzed using different ROP screening guidelines.

RESULTS

A total of 4069 infants underwent ROP screening, and 728 infants (17.9%) were diagnosed with ROP. Of those, 78 infants (1.9%) received treatments. Gestational age and BW showed significant differences between infants with and without ROP (29.1 ± 2.1w vs. 32.9 ± 2.6w, p < 0.001; 1362.7 ± 427.3 g vs. 1751.9 ± 509.4 g, p < 0.001; respectively). Fifty-six infants (7.69%), 188 infants (25.82%), and 104 infants (14.29%) in all infants with ROP would have been missed according to the China, USA, and UK screening guidelines respectively. If GA ≤ 33 weeks and/or BW ≤ 2100 g were considered as screening criteria, only one infant (0.14%) with critical systemic illness was missed diagnosed with severe ROP.

CONCLUSION

Gestational age and BW are major risk factors for the incidence and severity of ROP. And the incidence and treatment rate of ROP in Tianjin is similar to that reported in the other regions of China. Modified ROP screening criteria were considered to be more effective in Tianjin.

Retinopathy of prematurity: a review of epidemiology and current treatment strategies

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is among the most common causes of childhood blindness. Three phases of ROP epidemics have been observed worldwide since ROP was first described in the 1940s. Despite advances in neonatal care, the occurrence of ROP and associated visual impairment has been increasing somewhere on Earth and remains difficult to control. Conventional treatment options for preventing ROP progression include retinal ablation using cryotherapy or laser therapy. With the emergence of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) treatment for ocular diseases, the efficacy and safety of anti-VEGF therapy for ROP have recently been actively discussed. In the advanced stage of ROP with retinal detachment, surgical treatment including scleral buckling or vitrectomy is needed to maintain or induce retinal attachment. At this stage, the visual outcome is usually poor despite successful anatomical retinal attachment. Therefore, preventing ROP progression by timely screening examinations and treatment remains the most important part of ROP management.

Optimization of retinopathy of prematurity screening in a tertiary neonatal unit in Northern Greece based on 16-year data

OBJECTIVE

The optimal modification of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening policy in our unit, by tightening the applicable screening criteria, without missing treatment-requiring ROP (TR-ROP).

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of screened infants with gestational age (GA) < 32 weeks and/or birth weight (BW) < 1501 g as well as cases beyond these thresholds but with comorbidities (April 2004 to April 2020).

RESULT

Of 1560 included infants, 18.4% (n = 288) developed any stage of ROP and 3.1% (n = 49) were treated. TR-ROP occurred at a mean (SD) 36^2/7 (2^5/7) weeks PMA, and not before a minimum of 32^3/7 weeks PMA. No treated infant would have been missed if screening criteria were reduced to GA < 30 weeks and/or BW < 1251 g. This modification would have resulted in 826 (52.9%) fewer infants undergoing screening.

CONCLUSION

Modifying the current screening criteria to GA < 30 weeks and/or BW < 1251 g would have spared over half of the screened infants from unnecessary examinations, without missing TR-ROP.

Analysis of non-retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)-related fundus hemorrhage in preterm infants in China

OBJECTIVE

To determine the incidence of fundus hemorrhage (FH) not associated with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) during ocular screening and report their clinical features, risk factors, therapies, and prognosis in a large population of premature newborns.

METHODS

The medical records of all preterm newborns admitted to the Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, from January 1, 2016 through August 31, 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Fundus examinations were carried out by experienced retinal experts. Examination under anesthesia was carried out in newborns with abnormal fundus including vitreous hemorrhage (VH) or retinal hemorrhage (RH) >2 disks' diameter by a Retcam 2 system. A lens-preserving vitrectomy was performed in infants requiring a vitrectomy. A comprehensive medical history was also recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS

During the 5-year period, a total of 7,260 preterm babies were screened. There were 82 (1.13%) newborns and 104 (0.72) eyes with FH, including VH or RH.Twelve (14.63%) newborns (16 eyes, 15.38%) had VH; 56 (68.29%) (74 eyes, 71.15%) had flame-shaped, superficial hemorrhages; six (7.31%) (6 eyes, 5.77%) had small, round, deep hemorrhages (<2 disk diameters in size); and eight (9.76%) (8 eyes, 7.69%) had large, round hemorrhages (>2 disk diameters). In all, there were 10 (12.20%) cases of intracranial hemorrhage. The mode of delivery was not found to be a significant factor in the occurrence of birth-related retinal hemorrhage (P = 0.22).Six newborns (eyes) with large, round retinal hemorrhage at the posterior pole while the macular was not impacted and 11 cases (15 eyes) with vitreous hemorrhage were required to receive close follow-up with average follow-up time of 105 days. A lens-sparing vitreous surgery was conducted in three patients without any complications.

CONCLUSION

Preterm newborns with FH that are not caused by ROP are more likely to have superficial, peripheral hemorrhages. Vaginal delivery compression and forceps may be associated with hemorrhage. A lens-preserving vitrectomy is required and considered safe for dense FH involving the refractive media.

Clinical Features of Spontaneous Regression of Retinopathy of Prematurity in China: A 5-Year Retrospective Case Series

Purpose: The aim of this study is to explore the clinical features of spontaneous regression of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in China, including fundus appearance, time course, and affecting factors.

Methods: Data of pediatric patients in whom ROP spontaneously regressed without treatment were collected, including general demographics, medical history, zones and stages of ROP, and changes of fundus appearance. The fundus manifestations of spontaneous regression in ROP were systematically summarized. Meanwhile, the time course of spontaneous regression in ROP was further analyzed, including the onset time, completion time, and duration of regression, which were all compared across different ROP zones and stages. The associated factors were analyzed by survival analysis for their correlation with delayed regression for the first time.

Results: Two hundred thirty-seven eyes of 237 pediatric patients were included. The fundus manifestations of regression differed across stages. Lesions gradually subsided, and the retinal vessels gradually vascularized completely. However, despite ROP regression, some abnormalities remained. We observed avascular retina in the temporal periphery (19.0%), increased vascular branching (6.8%), retinal pigmentary changes (6.8%), and smaller angle between the upper and lower temporal retinal vessel trunks (3.0%). Acute ROP started to regress at a median 40 weeks of postmenstrual age (PMA) and completely regressed by median 49.0 weeks of PMA. The median duration for regression was 8.5 weeks. The zone II ROP and stage 3 ROP had a later time for onset and completion of regression, and longer duration. Anemia and retinal hemorrhage (RH) were identified as independent risk factors for delayed regression by survival analysis.

Conclusions: During spontaneous regression, the fundus appearance is diverse, and the retinal vessels gradually vascularized completely. The time course of regression differs depending on the ROP zone and stage. Anemia and RH are independent risk factors for delayed regression. Further research of the natural course of the regression of ROP is needed to help design effective screening and follow-up plans.