Demographic profile and ocular characteristics of stage 5 retinopathy of prematurity at a referral center in Northwest China: implications for implementation

Background Severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) with extremely unfavorable prognosis among infants can do great damage to individuals and bring tremendous social-economic burden. The purpose of this study is to describe the demographic and ocular characteristics of infants who presented with stage 5 ROP in order to identify reasons why they have become blind, and to identify contributing factors in order to focus great attention on the current ROP program and to inspire more effort in ROP screening in middle income countries. Methods A retrospective review of consecutive infants with stage 5 ROP from December 2010 to December 2016 in Department of Ophthalmology, Xijing Hospital. Various parameters retrieved included birthweight, gestational age, age at initial examination, postmenstrual age, screening details, check-up details and reasons for consultation. Ocular findings were recorded and also detected by ultrasonography. Results A retrospective review of 20 consecutive infants with stage 5 ROP are included. Mean birthweight was1712.3 ± 512.97 g and mean gestational age at birth was 32.1 ± 2.21 weeks. Median age at first consultancy was 9.7 month. Median postmenstrual age first consultancy was 52 weeks. All infants were never screened for ROP before they came to the referral center. Of twenty stage 5 ROP infants, 13 cases presented with bilateral stage 5 features. Of the 40 eyes of 20 infants, 33 eyes were diagnosed as stage 5. Leukocoric pupil, closed funnel configuration of retinal detachment (RD), posterior synechia, extraretinal fibrovascular proliferation and retinal folds were the most significant indicators of bad prognosis. Ten eyes appeared no fixation to light, while 30 eyes exhibited following to light or following to toys. Conclusions Our study shows that in relatively less-developed regions of China, more needs to be done to spread awareness about the disease among pediatricians, neonatologists and ophthalmologists as well as parents of premature infants. Thus, a comprehensive control system which is a whole network of propaganda, screening, treatment and follow-up are encouraged especially in less developed areas in China as well as worldwide.