Gestational Age-Specific Prevalence of Retinopathy of Prematurity in Very Preterm Infants: An Exploratory Meta-Analysis.
Acta PaediatrMay 4, 2026 (epub)
Paige Scudder, Shiyu Zhang, Tora Sund Morken et al.
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In 30 seconds
This meta-analysis evaluated the prevalence of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) in very preterm infants, focusing on gestational age (GA) thresholds versus birth weight (BW) criteria. The study found that ROP prevalence significantly decreases after 28 weeks GA. The authors suggest that ROP research cohorts should be defined solely by GA, as including BW may obscure important associations.
Key findings
- ROP prevalence notably changes at around 28 weeks GA.
- Including BW alongside GA affects ROP prevalence data variability.
- Defining ROP cohorts by GA alone may clarify population-level associations.
Why it matters
Understanding the specific impact of gestational age on ROP prevalence can enhance screening guidelines and improve early detection strategies for at-risk infants, ultimately aiming to reduce the incidence of this condition.