Premium
Increase in treatment of retinopathy of prematurity in the Netherlands from 2010 to 2017
Author(s) -
Trzcionkowska Kasia,
Vehmeijer Wouter B.H.J.,
Kerkhoff Frank T.,
Bauer Noel J.C.,
Bennebroek Carlien A.M.,
Dijk Peter H.,
Dijkman Koen P.,
Dungen Frank A.M.,
Eggink Cathrien A.,
Feenstra Robert P.G.,
Groenendaal Floris,
Heijst Arno F.,
Hoeven Mark A.H.B.M.,
Kornelisse Rene F.,
KraalBiezen Elke,
Lopriore Enrico,
Onland Wes,
Renardel de Lavalette Victor W.,
Rijn Laurentius J.,
Schuerman Frank A.B.A.,
Simonsz Huibert J.,
VoskuilKerkhof Elsbeth S.M.,
Witlox Ruben S.G.M.,
Termote Jacqueline U.M.,
SchalijDelfos Nicoline E.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/aos.14501
Subject(s) - retinopathy of prematurity , medicine , gestational age , birth weight , pediatrics , bevacizumab , retrospective cohort study , ophthalmology , surgery , pregnancy , chemotherapy , genetics , biology
Purpose Compare patients treated for Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) in two consecutive periods. Methods Retrospective inventory of anonymized neonatal and ophthalmological data of all patients treated for ROP from 2010 to 2017 in the Netherlands, subdivided in period (P)1: 1‐1‐2010 to 31‐3‐2013 and P2: 1‐4‐2013 to 31‐12‐2016. Treatment characteristics, adherence to early treatment for ROP (ETROP) criteria, outcome of treatment and changes in neonatal parameters and policy of care were compared. Results Overall 196 infants were included, 57 infants (113 eyes) in P1 and 139 (275 eyes) in P2, indicating a 2.1‐fold increase in ROP treatment. No differences were found in mean gestational age (GA) (25.9 ± 1.7 versus 26.0 ± 1.7 weeks, p = 0.711), mean birth weight (791 ± 311 versus 764 ± 204 grams, p = 0.967) and other neonatal risk factors for ROP. In P2, the number of premature infants born <25 weeks increased by factor 1.23 and higher oxygen saturation levels were aimed at in most centres. At treatment decision, 59.6% (P1) versus 83.5% (P2) (p = 0.263) infants were classified as Type 1 ROP (ETROP classification). Infants were treated with laser photocoagulation (98 versus 96%) and intravitreal bevacizumab (2 versus 4%). Retreatment was necessary in 10 versus 21 (p = 0.160). Retinal detachment developed in 6 versus 13 infants (p = 0.791) of which 2 versus 6 bilateral (p = 0.599). Conclusion In period 2, the number of infants treated according to the ETROP criteria (Type 1) increased, the number of ROP treatments, retinal detachments and retreatments doubled and the absolute number of retinal detachments increased. Neonatal data did not provide a decisive explanation, although changes in neonatal policy were reported.