OBJECTIVE: To study the frequency of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in any stage and its threshold form in premature infants, either treated or non-treated with exogenous surfactant to neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, and evaluate the response of eyes with threshold retinopathy to ablation treatment. METHODS: One hundred and sixty eight premature infants who weighed 1500 grams or less and/or who had a gestational age of 32 weeks or less, were screened for ROP by ophthalmoscopy. We compared findings in 40 patients treated with exogenous endotracheal surfactant, with those of 128 patients who did not require such therapy. Ablation of ischaemic peripheral retina, either with laser or cryotherapy, was applied in cases of threshold ROP. For statistical analysis Student's t, qui-square, Kruskal-Wallins and Fisher's exact tests were used, with p value of < 0.05 considered as significant. RESULTS: ROP, in any stage, occurred in 51,2% of children. Threshold ROP, requiring treatment, was found in 12 (7,4%) of them and regressed in 9. There was no significant difference between surfactant treated and non-treated patients, regarding the occurrence of ROP and threshold ROP. CONCLUSION: In this study frequency of ROP can be considered high, when compared with other series. Children with distress respiratory syndrome, treated with surfactant, did not show a higher risk of threshold ROP. Treatment was successfull in promoting disease regression.
Retinopathy of prematurity; Pulmonary surfactants; Infant, premature
