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Aims: To determine the ophthalmological outcome at 6.5 years of age in children treated for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and registered in the national Swedish National Register for ROP register. Methods: Data on ROP, treatment and ophthalmological outcome were retrieved from the register. Visual acuity (VA), refractive errors and strabismus, together with visual impairment (VI) and any significant eye problem, defined as VA >0.5 logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) and/or strabismus and/or any refractive error were analysed. Risk factors such as sex, gestational age (GA), birth weight SD score, number of treatments and retreatments, postnatal age and postmenstrual age at first treatment were analysed. Results: Follow-up data were available in 232 of 270 children born between 2007 and 2014 who had been treated for ROP. VI (VA >0.5 logMAR) was found in 32 (14%), strabismus in 82 (38%), refractive errors in 114 (52%) and significant eye problem in 143 (65%) children. Retreatment was a risk factor for VI and refractive errors. Male sex and neonatal brain lesion were risk factors for strabismus. An additional week of GA at birth reduced the risk for refractive errors, strabismus and significant eye problems. Conclusion: The results of the present study revealed a high number of eye problems in children treated for ROP, emphasising the need for long-term follow-up. Retreatment of ROP was a risk factor for VI, and emphasises the importance of an accurate first treatment for the long-term ophthalmological outcome.

AimsTo determine the ophthalmological outcome at 6.5 years of age in children treated for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and registered in the national Swedish National Register for ROP register. MethodsData on ROP, treatment and ophthalmological outcome were retrieved from the register. Visual acuity (VA), refractive errors and strabismus, together with visual impairment (VI) and any significant eye problem, defined as VA >0.5 logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) and/or strabismus and/or any refractive error were analysed. Risk factors such as sex, gestational age (GA), birth weight SD score, number of treatments and retreatments, postnatal age and postmenstrual age at first treatment were analysed. ResultsFollow-up data were available in 232 of 270 children born between 2007 and 2014 who had been treated for ROP. VI (VA >0.5 logMAR) was found in 32 (14%), strabismus in 82 (38%), refractive errors in 114 (52%) and significant eye problem in 143 (65%) children. Retreatment was a risk factor for VI and refractive errors. Male sex and neonatal brain lesion were risk factors for strabismus. An additional week of GA at birth reduced the risk for refractive errors, strabismus and significant eye problems. ConclusionThe results of the present study revealed a high number of eye problems in children treated for ROP, emphasising the need for long-term follow-up. Retreatment of ROP was a risk factor for VI, and emphasises the importance of an accurate first treatment for the long-term ophthalmological outcome.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate various aspects of treatment for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in Sweden over the past 14 years, nationally and at a hospital level. Methods: Data on screening and treatment for ROP in infants born in Sweden from 2008 to 2021 were extracted from the national ROP register, SWEDROP. During this period, Swedish screening guidelines were reduced from gestational age (GA) < 32 weeks to <31 weeks in 2012 and to <30 weeks in 2020. Results: Altogether, 10 959 infants were screened and 600 infants treated for ROP during the study period. Parallel to changed guidelines, the number of screened infants decreased (p < 0.000) and the incidence of ROP and frequency of treatment increased (p < 0.001), while both remained similar in infants with a GA below 30 weeks. Among treated infants, GA and BW were reduced over the years (p < 0.001). Laser treatment (85.2% of primary treatments) became less common and anti-VEGF injections (13.6%) became more common over time (p < 0.001). Altogether 16 eyes were treated with the encircling band and 13 with vitrectomy. The total frequency of retreatment (32.7% of treated eyes) remained similar over time but was more common after primary anti-VEGF injection (67.7%) than laser treatment (27.2%). There were differences between the seven university hospitals regarding type of treatment and number of retreatments (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The frequency of treatment and retreatment for ROP remained similar over time, but the type of treatment changed and anti-VEGF injections became more common. Differences between treating hospitals emphasize the importance of centralizing the most severe cases.

Background/Aims Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is currently diagnosed through repeated eye examinations to find the low percentage of infants that fulfil treatment criteria to reduce vision loss. A prediction model for severe ROP requiring treatment that might sensitively and specifically identify infants that develop severe ROP, DIGIROP-Birth, was developed using birth characteristics. DIGIROP-Screen additionally incorporates first signs of ROP in different models over time. The aim was to validate DIGIROP-Birth, DIGIROP-Screen and their decision support tool on a contemporary Swedish cohort. Methods Data were retrieved from the Swedish national registry for ROP (2018-2019) and two Swedish regions (2020), including 1082 infants born at gestational age (GA) 24 to <31 weeks. The predictors were GA at birth, sex, standardised birth weight and age at the first sign of ROP. The outcome was ROP treatment. Sensitivity, specificity and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) with 95% CI were described. Results For DIGIROP-Birth, the AUC was 0.93 (95% CI 0.90 to 0.95); for DIGIROP-Screen, it ranged between 0.93 and 0.97. The specificity was 49.9% (95% CI 46.7 to 53.0) and the sensitivity was 96.5% (95% CI 87.9 to 99.6) for the tool applied at birth. For DIGIROP-Screen, the cumulative specificity ranged between 50.0% and 78.7%. One infant with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome who fulfilled criteria for ROP treatment and had no missed/incomplete examinations was incorrectly flagged as not needing screening. Conclusions DIGIROP-Birth and DIGIROP-Screen showed high predictive ability in a contemporary Swedish cohort. At birth, 50% of the infants born at 24 to <31 weeks of gestation were predicted to have low risk of severe ROP and could potentially be released from ROP screening examinations. All routinely screened treated infants, excluding those screened for clinical indications of severe illness, were correctly flagged as needing ROP screening, Funding Agencies|Swedish Medical Research CouncilSwedish Medical Research Council (SMRC)European Commission [2016-01131]; Gothenburg Medical Society and Government grants under the ALF agreement [ALFGBG-717971]; De Blindas Vanner; National Eye InstituteUnited States Department of Health & Human ServicesNational Institutes of Health (NIH) - USANIH National Eye Institute (NEI) [EY017017, EY030904]; National Institute of HealthUnited States Department of Health & Human ServicesNational Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA [1U54HD090255]

IMPORTANCE The prognostic impact of parenteral nutrition duration (PND) on retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is not well studied. Safe prediction models can help optimize ROP screening by effectively discriminating high-risk from low-risk infants. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the prognostic value of PND on ROP; to update and validate the Digital ROP (DIGIROP) 2.0 birth into prescreen and screen prediction models to include all ROP-screened infants regardless of gestational age (GA) and incorporate PND; and to compare the DIGIROP model with the Weight, IGF-1, Neonatal, and ROP (WINROP) and Postnatal Growth and ROP (G-ROP) models. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This retrospective study included 11 139 prematurely born infants from 2007 to 2020 from the Swedish National Registry for ROP. Extended Poisson and logistic models were applied. Data were analyzed from August 2022 to February 2023. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Any ROP and ROP requiring treatment were studied in relation to PND. ROP treatment was the outcome in DIGIROP models. Sensitivity, specificity, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, and adjusted OR (aOR) with 95% CI were the main measures. Internal and external validations were performed. RESULTS Of 11 139 screened infants, 5071 (45.5%) were girls, and the mean (SD) gestational age was 28.5 (2.4) weeks. ROP developed in 3179 infants (29%), treatment was given in 599 (5%), 7228 (65%) had PND less than 14 days, 2308 (21%) had PND for 14 days or more, and 1603 (14%) had unknown PND. PND was significantly correlated with ROP severity (Spearman r = 0.45; P < .001). Infants with 14 days or more of PND vs less than 14 days had faster progression from any ROP to ROP treatment (adjusted mean difference, -0.9 weeks; 95% CI, -1.5 to -0.3; P = .004). Infants with PND for 14 days or more vs less than 14 days had higher odds of any ROP (aOR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.62-2.10; P < .001) and of severe ROP requiring treatment (aOR, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.73-2.80, Funding Agencies|Swedish Medical Research Council [2020-01092]; Gothenburg Medical Society and government grants under ALF agreement [ALFGBG-717971]; De Blindas Vaenner; Knut and Alice Wallenberg Clinical Scholars; National Eye Institute [EY017017, EY030904]; National Institute of Health [1U54HD090255]

Background/Aim: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is currently diagnosed through repeated eye examinations to find the low percentage of infants that fulfil treatment criteria to reduce vision loss. A prediction model for severe ROP requiring treatment that might sensitively and specifically identify infants that develop severe ROP, DIGIROP-Birth, was developed using birth characteristics. DIGIROP-Screen additionally incorporates first signs of ROP in different models over time. The aim was to validate DIGIROP-Birth, DIGIROP-Screen and their decision support tool on a contemporary Swedish cohort. Methods: Data were retrieved from the Swedish national registry for ROP (2018–2019) and two Swedish regions (2020), including 1082 infants born at gestational age (GA) 24 to <31 weeks. The predictors were GA at birth, sex, standardised birth weight and age at the first sign of ROP. The outcome was ROP treatment. Sensitivity, specificity and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) with 95% CI were described. Results: For DIGIROP-Birth, the AUC was 0.93 (95% CI 0.90 to 0.95); for DIGIROP-Screen, it ranged between 0.93 and 0.97. The specificity was 49.9% (95% CI 46.7 to 53.0) and the sensitivity was 96.5% (95% CI 87.9 to 99.6) for the tool applied at birth. For DIGIROP-Screen, the cumulative specificity ranged between 50.0% and 78.7%. One infant with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome who fulfilled criteria for ROP treatment and had no missed/incomplete examinations was incorrectly flagged as not needing screening. Conclusion: DIGIROP-Birth and DIGIROP-Screen showed high predictive ability in a contemporary Swedish cohort. At birth, 50% of the infants born at 24 to <31 weeks of gestation were predicted to have low risk of severe ROP and could potentially be released from ROP screening examinations. All routinely screened treated infants, excluding those screened for clinical indications of severe illness, were correctly flagged as needing ROP screening.

Background/Aims Prematurely born infants undergo costly, stressful eye examinations to uncover the small fraction with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) that needs treatment to prevent blindness. The aim was to develop a prediction tool (DIGIROP-Screen) with 100% sensitivity and high specificity to safely reduce screening of those infants not needing treatment. DIGIROP-Screen was compared with four other ROP models based on longitudinal weights. Methods Data, including infants born at 24-30 weeks of gestational age (GA), for DIGIROP-Screen development (DevGroup, N=6991) originate from the Swedish National Registry for ROP. Three international cohorts comprised the external validation groups (ValGroups, N=1241). Multivariable logistic regressions, over postnatal ages (PNAs) 6-14 weeks, were validated. Predictors were birth characteristics, status and age at first diagnosed ROP and essential interactions. Results ROP treatment was required in 287 (4.1%)/6991 infants in DevGroup and 49 (3.9%)/1241 in ValGroups. To allow 100% sensitivity in DevGroup, specificity at birth was 53.1% and cumulatively 60.5% at PNA 8 weeks. Applying the same cut-offs in ValGroups, specificities were similar (46.3% and 53.5%). One infant with severe malformations in ValGroups was incorrectly classified as not needing screening. For all other infants, at PNA 6-14 weeks, sensitivity was 100%. In other published models, sensitivity ranged from 88.5% to 100% and specificity ranged from 9.6% to 45.2%. Conclusions DIGIROP-Screen, a clinical decision support tool using readily available birth and ROP screening data for infants born GA 24-30 weeks, in the European and North American populations tested can safely identify infants not needing ROP screening. DIGIROP-Screen had equal or higher sensitivity and specificity compared with other models. DIGIROP-Screen should be tested in any new cohort for validation and if not validated it can be modified using the same statistical approaches applied to a spe, Funding Agencies|Swedish Medical Research CouncilSwedish Medical Research Council (SMRC)European Commission [2016-01131]; Gothenburg Medical Society and Government grants under the ALF agreement [ALFGBG-717971]; De Blindas Vanner; Knut and Alice Wallenberg Clinical Scholars; Orebro County Council Research Committee; National Eye InstituteUnited States Department of Health & Human ServicesNational Institutes of Health (NIH) - USANIH National Eye Institute (NEI) [EY017017, EY030904]; National Institute of HealthUnited States Department of Health & Human ServicesNational Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA [1U54HD090255]

Objective Prematurity is a major risk factor for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). We aimed to elucidate ROP prevalence, treatment and retreatment in infants born before 24 gestational age (GA) weeks in a Swedish cohort. Methods and analysis Infants with completed ROP screening, born at <24 GA weeks, 2007-2018 in Sweden were included. Data of GA, birth weight (BW), sex, neonatal morbidities, maximal ROP stage, aggressive posterior ROP (APROP), ROP treatments, treatment modality and treatment centre were retrieved. Results In total, 399 infants, with a mean GA of 23.2 weeks (range 21.9-23.9) and a mean BW of 567 g (range 340-874), were included. ROP was detected in 365 (91.5%) infants, 173 (43.4%) were treated for ROP and 68 of 173 (39.3%) were treated more than once. As the first treatment, 142 (82.0%) received laser and 29 (16.1%) received intravitreal injection of antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF). Retreatment was performed after first laser in 46 of 142 (32.4%) and in 20 of 29 (69.0%) after first anti-VEGF treatment. Retreatment rate was not associated with GA, BW or sex but with APROP, treatment method (anti-VEGF) and treatment centre where the laser was performed (p<0.001). Twenty eyes progressed to retinal detachment, and two infants developed unilateral endophthalmitis after anti-VEGF treatment. Conclusion Infants, born at <24 weeks' GA, had high rates of treatment-warranting ROP and retreatments. Treatment centre highly influenced the retreatment rate after laser indicating that laser treatment could be improved in some settings.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: During the last decade, improved neonatal care has resulted in increased survival of the most immature infants and improved health of more mature infants. We hypothesise that this has affected incidence and treatment of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), enabling guidelines for screening to be modified. METHODS: In Sweden, all infants with gestational age (GA) at birth ≤30 weeks are screened for ROP. Results are registered in a web-based register, Swedish National ROP Register, with a coverage rate of 97%. Incidence of ROP and frequency of treatment, aspects on natural course of ROP and number of examinations, are calculated in relation to GA at birth in infants born during 2008-2017. RESULTS: Of 7249 infants, 31.9% (2310) had ROP and 6.1% (440) were treated. No infant with GA 30 weeks was treated. Incidence of ROP remained similar, but frequency of treatment increased (p=0.023). Over time, GA and birth weight were reduced in infants with ROP and with treated ROP. In the most immature infants, postmenstrual age was lower and postnatal age was higher when any ROP and stage 3 ROP were first detected (p<0.001). At treatment, postmenstrual but not postnatal age of the infant was associated with GA (p<0.001). During the 10-year period, 46 038 examinations were performed. CONCLUSION: Modification of Swedish guidelines is proposed, including only infants with a GA of <30 weeks and postponing the first examination with 1 week in infants with GA 26-29 weeks. This would spare many infants from stressful examinations and reduce eye examinations with at least 20%.

IMPORTANCE Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) can cause severe visual disability even in high-resource settings. A better understanding of the prevalence and processes leading to ROP-induced severe visual impairment may help health care professionals design preventive measures. OBJECTIVES To determine the prevalence of severe visual disability among children born preterm in Sweden, evaluate adherence to best practice, and determine the health system's structural capacity. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Population-based, nationwide cohort study of 1 310 227 children born between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2015, in Sweden, of whom 17 588 (1.3%) were born very preterm (<32 weeks of gestation). Children born preterm with a verified diagnosis of severe visual disability had their medical records reviewed for evaluation of ROP screening, diagnosis, and treatment. In addition, a questionnaire on structural capacity was sent to all ophthalmology departments. EXPOSURES Stages 4 and 5 ROP. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was prevalence of severe visual disability (visual acuity similar to 20/200 for both eyes) associated with ROP stages 4 and 5. Secondary outcomes included adherence to national ROP guidelines using a predefined protocol with 15 key performance indicators for screening, diagnosis, and treatment; assessment of whether visual disability was deemed avoidable; and examination of structural capacity, including information on equipment and facilities, staffing, and patients. RESULTS Seventeen children (10 boys; mean [range] birth weight, 756 [454-1900] g; mean [range] gestational age, 25 [22-33] weeks) became severely visually disabled because of ROP, corresponding to a prevalence of 1 in 1000 very preterm infants (< 32 weeks of gestational age) and 1 in 77 000 for all live births. Severe visual impairment was considered potentially avoidable in 11 of 17 affected children (65%) owing to untimely or no screening, missed diagnosis, or unti

Purpose : Description of ten years of national ROP-screening and treatment in Sweden and evaluation of the national screening program for ROP. Methods : The study is based on a national register for ROP, SWEDROP, with around 96% coverage. According to Swedish guidelines, all infants born at 30 weeks gestational age (GA) or less, as well as children born later but being extremely sick, should be screened for ROP during the neonatal period. Birth data are validated in the Swedish neonatal quality register, SNQ. Results : During the ten-year period between 2008 and 2017, 7257 infants with a GA of 30 weeks or less were registered in SWEDROP and 46.294 examinations were performed, of which 5.328 (11.5%) in infants born in gestational week 30. Mean GA was 27.6 w (range 21-30 w) and mean BW was 1116 g (range 390-2405 g). Overall, during the ten years, ROP was found in 31.8% (range 26.8-36.8%) and treatment for ROP was performed in 6% (range 4.1-7.7%) of the screened infants. Only nine infants with GA 28 w and four with GA 29 w were treated for ROP. No infant with GA 30 w was treated. Eighty-two per cent (361/441) of the treated infants had laser only and 17.7% (78/441) were treated with Anti-VEGF, alone (17 infants) or in combination with laser and/or other treatment. Conclusions : SWEDROP is a national register for ROP with a high national coverage. The incidence of ROP and frequency of treatment remained similar over the ten-year period. Only 13 infants born at 28 – 29 weeks GA and no child born at 30 w GA were treated for ROP. Modification of guidelines is considered, with lowering the upper limit of screening with one week, i.e. to less than 30 weeks GA. During the ten-year study period, this would have resulted in a reduction of 1680 infants (23.2%) screened for ROP and of 5.328 (11.5%) examinations.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To describe potential risks for patient safety incidents in the radiology department from a radiographer's perspective. BACKGROUND: A radiology department is a high-tech environment with high communication activity between different health care systems in combination with a large patient flow. Risks for patient safety incidents exist in every phase of a radiological examination. Due to the nature of the activity, a radiology department needs to have its own range of measures to prevent risks linked to radiology. DESIGN: A qualitative descriptive design. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 17 radiographers during the period September 2015 to February 2016. The data was analyzed using conventional content analysis. This study followed the COREQ checklist criteria for the reporting of qualitative research. RESULTS: The analysis yielded 20 different patient safety incidents that could result in the following six types of health care-associated harm: Patients could; (1) be exposed to unnecessary radiation; (2) receive an inaccurate diagnosis; (3) incur drug-induced damage; (4) suffer direct physical injury; or (5) their examination and treatment could be delayed or not carried out; or (6) their general health condition could deteriorate. CONCLUSION: Lack of communication and knowledge, both internally and externally, can increase risks for patient safety incidents. The study describes a complex chain of activities that represent risks in the radiology department. It needs to be pointed out that it is not always the activities in the radiology department that cause the harm. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: To carry out preventive patient safety work, a comprehensive analysis of the entire care chain is required. Patient safety work should also focus on improvement of communication both internally, within the radiology department, and externally. Standardized methodological guidelines, consistent prescriptions of method from the r

Background: The most severe form of rapidly progressing retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is termed aggressive posterior ROP (APROP). APROP frequently causes severe visual impairment in affected preterm infants despite timely and appropriate laser treatment. Objectives: We investigated the postnatal characteristics associated with APROP development in a national Swedish cohort. Methods: This retrospective, 1: 1 matched case-control study included all infants that developed APROP in zone 1 (n = 9) between 2008 and 2012. Control infants, matched for gestational age and birth weight, developed ROP no worse than stage 2 (n = 9). We retrieved data from medical records on infant birth characteristics, postnatal morbidities, and blood analyses from birth to the first ROP treatment. Infectious episodes included sepsis, C-reactive protein >= 10 mg/l, and other clinical signs of infection that required antibiotic treatment. A plate-let count < 100 x 10(9)/l was considered to be thrombocytopenia. Results: All APROP cases postnatally developed at least two infectious episodes, one in the first month and one around the time of ROP diagnosis. All APROP cases exhibited thrombocytopenia in the first month, and 6/9 exhibited thrombocytopenia around the time of ROP diagnosis. Compared to the controls, APROP cases more frequently developed necrotizing enterocolitis (8/9 vs. 1/9; p < 0.01) and sepsis (9/9 vs. 3/9; p < 0.01), and they had significantly lower median platelet counts (90 x 10 (9)/l, range 4-459, vs. 158 x 10(9)/l, range 20-500; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Multiple infectious episodes and thrombocytopenia, particularly around the time of ROP diagnosis, were associated with APROP development.

Background/aims Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a sight-threatening disease, requiring efficient screening and treatment. The present study aims to describe various aspects on treatment for ROP in Sweden. Methods Data on treatment for ROP in infants born in 2008-2012 were extracted from Swedish national register for retinopathy of prematurity, a web-based national register. Results During 2008-2012, 3488 infants with a gestational age (GA) at birth of <31 weeks had been screened for ROP in Sweden. Altogether, 30.3% (1057/3488) of the infants developed ROP and 5.2% (181/3488) were treated. Type 1 ROP was found in at least one eye in 83.2% (149/179) of the treated infants. One third of the eyes (32.2% right, 29.9% left eyes) were treated more than once. Laser was the only treatment in 90% of the eyes. Mean number of laser spots at first laser session was 1177 and 1386 in right and left eyes, respectively. Number of laser spots correlated negatively with GA at birth (p=0.01). There was no change in frequency of treatment or number of laser spots during the 5-year period. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections were performed in 28 eyes, encircling band was used in five eyes and vitrectomies were performed in seven eyes. Twenty-six retinal surgeons performed 9.4 (range 1-37) treatment sessions in the 181 infants. Conclusions The present study reveals similar incidences of ROP and frequencies of treatment during the 5-year study period. Many surgeons were involved in treatment of a rather limited number of infants. The results call for national discussions on organisation of ROP treatment.

Background: The most severe form of rapidly progressing retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is termed aggressive posterior ROP (APROP). APROP frequently causes severe visual impairment in affected preterm infants despite timely and appropriate laser treatment. Objectives: We investigated the postnatal characteristics associated with APROP development in a national Swedish cohort. Methods: This retrospective, 1:1 matched case-control study included all infants that developed APROP in zone 1 (n = 9) between 2008 and 2012. Control infants, matched for gestational age and birth weight, developed ROP no worse than stage 2 (n = 9). We retrieved data from medical records on infant birth characteristics, postnatal morbidities, and blood analyses from birth to the first ROP treatment. Infectious episodes included sepsis, C-reactive protein ≥10 mg/l, and other clinical signs of infection that required antibiotic treatment. A platelet count <100 × 109/l was considered to be thrombocytopenia. Results: All APROP cases postnatally developed at least two infectious episodes, one in the first month and one around the time of ROP diagnosis. All APROP cases exhibited thrombocytopenia in the first month, and 6/9 exhibited thrombocytopenia around the time of ROP diagnosis. Compared to the controls, APROP cases more frequently developed necrotizing enterocolitis (8/9 vs. 1/9; p < 0.01) and sepsis (9/9 vs. 3/9; p < 0.01), and they had significantly lower median platelet counts (90 × 109/l, range 4-459, vs. 158 × 109/l, range 20-500; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Multiple infectious episodes and thrombocytopenia, particularly around the time of ROP diagnosis, were associated with APROP development.

Purpose: The primary aim was to analyse regional incidences of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and frequencies of treatment and their relation to perinatal risk factors during a 3-year period. A secondary aim was to study adherence to the study screening protocol in the different regions. Methods: A population-based study of neonatal morbidity in extremely preterm infants in Sweden (EXPRESS) was performed during 2004–2007. Screening for ROP was to start at postnatal age 5 weeks and to continue weekly until the retina was completely vascularized or until regression of ROP. Logistic regression analyses were used for evaluation of differences in incidence of Any ROP, ROP 3 or more and ROP Type 1 between the seven regions of the country. Results: The regional incidence of ROP varied between 54% and 92% for Any ROP, between 25% and 43% for ROP stage 3 or more and between 8% and 23% of infants with ROP Type 1, all of whom were treated. There was no significant difference between the regions regarding ROP Type 1, even when adjusting for known risk factors for ROP. Conclusion: The heterogeneity between the regions regarding the incidence of ROP was reduced with increasing severity of ROP, and there was no heterogeneity regarding frequency of treatment for ROP, which is the most important issue for the children. We cannot exclude observer bias regarding mild ROP and ROP stage 3 in this study.

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of neonatal morbidity in extremely preterm infants and to identify associated risk factors. Methods: Population based study of infants born before 27 gestational weeks and admitted for neonatal intensive care in Sweden during 2004-2007. Results: Of 638 admitted infants, 141 died. Among these, life support was withdrawn in 55 infants because of anticipation of poor long-term outcome. Of 497 surviving infants, 10% developed severe intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH), 5.7% cystic periventricular leucomalacia (cPVL), 41% septicaemia and 5.8% necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC); 61% had patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and 34% developed retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) stage >= 3. Eighty-five per cent needed mechanical ventilation and 25% developed severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Forty-seven per cent survived to one year of age without any severe IVH, cPVL, severe ROP, severe BPD or NEC. Tocolysis increased and prolonged mechanical ventilation decreased the chances of survival without these morbidities. Maternal smoking and higher gestational duration were associated with lower risk of severe ROP, whereas PDA and poor growth increased this risk. Conclusion: Half of the infants surviving extremely preterm birth suffered from severe neonatal morbidities. Studies on how to reduce these morbidities and on the long-term health of survivors are warranted., Group Authors: EXPRESS Group