Threshold retinopathy at threshold of viability: the EpiBel study

Aim: To describe incidence, co-morbidity characteristics, and risk factors associated with threshold retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in survivors with a gestational age (GA) of ⩽26 weeks at birth. Methods: Retrospective analysis of perinatal data of all inborn survivors in all perinatal centres of Belgium in the period 1999–2000 (EpiBel cohort) believed to be between 22 and 26 weeks GA at time of delivery. Data on survivors who did and survivors who did not develop threshold ROP were compared (χ2, Mann-Whitney U) and logistic regression was performed. Results: Of 303 admitted infants 175 (58%) were discharged alive. Incidence of major retinopathy (⩾stage 3) and of threshold ROP was 25.5% and 19.8% in survivors. Associated central nervous abnormalities were documented in six (17%) and associated chronic lung disease in 19 (54%) threshold ROP infants. Threshold ROP without additional morbidity characteristics at discharge was documented in 14 (40%) infants. Besides often reported risk factors, renal insufficiency (creatinaemia>1.5 mg/dl) was a risk factor to develop threshold ROP (p