Retinopathy prematurity: a systematic review and meta-analysis study based on neonatal and maternal risk factors

Abstract

Background

Retinopathy of prematurity is the abnormal development of retinal arteries in preterm neonates less than 32 weeks and weighing 1500 g, and less, which can lead to visual impairment during life and blindness. This study aims to investigate the relationship between some clinical characteristics of neonates and mothers with Retinopathy of prematurity in the world via a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Materials and methods

The present study is a systematic review and meta-analysis on the relationship between maternal and neonatal clinical variables with Retinopathy of prematurity in the world from the beginning of 2000 to the end of 2020. Accordingly, all English articles published on the topic were searched in scientific databases of Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Scopus. The articles were searched independently by two researchers. Statistical analysis of data was performed using fixed and random effects model statistical tests in the meta-analysis, Cochran, meta-regression, I² index, Funnel plot, and Begg’s by STATA software program, version 14.

Result

A total of 191 studies with a sample size of 140,921 persons were including in the meta-analysis. Accordingly, Preterm delivery ≤28 weeks (OR:6.3, 95% CI:4.9–8.1), Birth Weight ≤1000 g (OR:5.8, 95% CI:4.8–6.8), Birth Weight ≤1500 g (OR:4.8, 95% CI:3.8–6.1), PROM (OR:1.2, 95% CI:1.0–1.4), induced fertility (OR:1.9, 95% CI:1.1–3.0) and Chorioamnionitis (OR:1.5, 95% CI:1.0–2.2) There was a statistically significant association with retinopathy.

Conclusion

Based on the results of the present meta-analysis, the risk of retinopathy of prematurity in neonates born at 28 weeks and less, LBW (weight 1500 g and less), neonatal hypotension, chorioamnionitis, and induced fertility increases.

Keywords:

• Retinopathy
• prematurity
• systematic review
• meta-analysis
• neonatal
• maternal

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Deputy of Research and Technical Information of Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Iran for supporting this research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data sets generated during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.