Risk factors for retinopathy of prematurity in preterm newborns from a Brazilian maternity hospital: a cross-sectional study (2014 - 2022)

Purpose: Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) is a multifactorial disease that occurs in preterm newborns (PTNB) and is associated with risk factors such as high levels of oxygen saturation, hyperglycemia, blood transfusions, excessive brightness, among others. It is the second leading cause of childhood blindness in Brazil and one of the main causes worldwide and this study aims to describe and analyze the factors associated with the development of ROP in a group of preterm newborns from a maternity hospital in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, between 2014 and 2022, contributing to the understanding of this condition in a local context: A cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study was conducted. Results: The majority of newborns were female, very low birth weight, severe prematurity, presence of infection, receiving red blood cell concentrate, patent ductus arteriosus, without hemorrhages, and oxygen therapy duration up to 7 days. There was a predominance of grade II. In the multivariate analysis, only grade II hemorrhage and the presence of oxygen therapy for 30-60 days and 61 and more days were significant for this population (OR: 2.63 (1.21 – 5.69) p=0.014; 2.56 (1.03 – 6.36) p=0.043; 9.96 (3.90 – 25.43) p=< 0.01, respectively. Conclusion: Severe cases were linked to extreme prematurity, very low birth weight, and prolonged oxygen therapy, underscoring the need for rigorous monitoring. Although some variables, such as infections, did not show statistical significance, the literature suggests discrepancies, indicating the need for further studies. Preventive and therapeutic strategies should focus on high-risk newborns, with evidence-based clinical protocols to improve outcomes.