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Cohort studyKorean journal of ophthalmology : KJO · 2026

Thirteen-Year Trends in Retinopathy of Prematurity Among High-Risk Preterm Infants Treated in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in South Korea.

Seok Jae Lee, Seung Han Shin, Ee-Kyung Kim … Jeong Hun Kim

OphthalmologyCohort study

Retinopathy of prematurity incidence did not significantly decline over 13 years despite improved gestational age and birthweight.

Thirteen-Year Trends in Retinopathy of Prematurity Among High-Risk Preterm Infants Treated in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in South Korea.

Seok Jae Lee … Jeong Hun Kim

Korean journal of ophthalmology : KJO · 2026

Purpose

This study aimed to examine trends in the incidence, risk factors, and clinical features of retinopathy of prematurity (retinopathy of prematurity) among high-risk preterm infants in a South Korean neonatal intensive care unit over 13 years.

Methods

A retrospective study included 1114 high-risk preterm infants with gestational age (gestational age) < 32 weeks or birthweight (birthweight) < 1500 g, admitted to Seoul National University Children's Hospital from January 2009 to December 2021.

n = 1114 high-risk preterm infants

Results

over 1 in 3 preterm babies still developed eye disease - no improvement seen

37.1%

ROP incidence

17.9%

Required treatment

More results

Over the study period, gestational age and birthweight significantly increased (p<0.05), but no trends were observed for retinopathy of prematurity incidence or laser treatment rates.

More results

Lower gestational age, lower birthweight, and moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (bronchopulmonary dysplasia) were significant risk factors for treated retinopathy of prematurity (p<0.001).

“

Conclusion · 1 of 3

Although mean gestational age and birthweight increased over the 13-year period, the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity and the proportion requiring treatment did not show a statistically significant temporal decline and exhibited substantial year-to-year variation.

Conclusion · 2 of 3

Lower gestational age, lower birthweight, and moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia were key risk factors for severe retinopathy of prematurity.

Conclusion · 3 of 3

Laser-treated infants experienced more ophthalmic complications, emphasizing the need for long-term ophthalmic monitoring of high-risk preterm infants.

Post

Thirteen-Year Trends in Retinopathy of Prematurity Among High-Risk Preterm Infants Treated in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in South Korea.

Retinopathy of prematurity incidence did not significantly decline over 13 years despite improved gestational age and birthweight.

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