BACKGROUND/AIMS

To investigate the effects of maternal and paternal risk factors in the development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

MATERIAL and METHODS

The medical records of premature infants examined between 2015 and 2018 were included in this retrospective study. Gestational age, birth weight, sex, time spent in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), maternal and paternal ages, level of education, employment, and smoking were recorded.

RESULTS

Data of 438 infants who were screened for ROP were included in the study. The mean gestational age of the infants was 31.9±2.9 weeks, mean birth weight was 1727.8±543.7 g, and mean time spent in the NICU was 36.5±24.5 days. Lower gestational age, lower birth weight, and more time spent in the NICU significantly increased the presence of any stage and treatment requiring ROP (p<0.001). Maternal and paternal ages, smoking, education level, and employment did not have any significant relationship with the presence of any stage or treatment requiring ROP (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

The major risk factors for ROP are gestational age, birth weight, and time spent in the NICU where infants receive supplemental oxygen. There was no any relationship between paternal demographics and presence of any stage and treatment requiring ROP.

Keywords: Retinopathy of prematurity, risk factors, parent characteristics, parental age, parental smoking