Risk factors and prevalence of retinopathy of prematurity in very low birth weight preterm infants: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Year: 2026
Type: review
Study designs: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis
Abstract: Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a potentially blinding disorder affecting preterm infants, especially those with very low birth weight (<1,500 g). While advances in neonatal care have improved survival, the incidence of ROP remains high, and risk factors vary across studies. This meta-analysis aims to determine the prevalence of ROP in very low birth weight preterm infants and identify key risk factors to inform clinical screening and preventive strategies. Methods: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were searched from database creation to January 7, 2026. Stata 15.0 was used to merge and analyze the data. Results: Fourteen articles (including three case-control studies and 11 cohort studies) involving 12,666 newborns were finally included, and the results of meta-analysis found that blood transfusion [odds ratio (OR) =1.81, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.37-2.39, P=0.001], low gestational age (OR =1.50, 95% CI: 1.21-1.86, P=0.001), low birth weight (OR =1.05, 95% CI: 1.02-1.08, P=0.02), sepsis (OR =1.47, 95% CI: 1.26-1.71, P=0.02), intraventricular hemorrhage (OR =1.87, 95% CI: 1.27-2.75, P=0.001), lung disease (OR =2.08, 95% CI: 1.37-3.17, P=0.001), necrotizing enterocolitis (OR =1.68, 95% CI: 1.16-2.41, P=0.001), and patent ductus arteriosus (OR =1.72, 95% CI: 1.31-2.25, P=0.003) were risk factors for ROP in very low birth weight preterm infants. Conclusions: The study suggests ROP should be prevented early in very low birth weight preterm infants with a combination of blood transfusions, low gestational age, low gestational weight, sepsis, intraventricular hemorrhage, lung disease, necrotizing enterocolitis, and patent ductus arteriosus.
Source: Translational Pediatrics
Authors: Wensi Chen, Tian Liu, Daoman Xiang
Language: English
Subfield: Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7128820026