Differences in Risk Factors for Retinopathy of Prematurity Development in Paired Twins: A Chinese Population Study

Abstract EN

Purpose.

To determine the differences in risk factors for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in paired twins.

Methods.

A retrospective medical record review was performed for all paired twins screened for ROP between 2007 and 2012.

Screening was offered to very low birth weight (≤1500 grams) and preterm (≤32 weeks) neonates.

Twins 1 and 2 were categorized based on the order of delivery.

Maternal and neonatal covariates were analyzed using univariate and multivariate regression analyses for both ROP and Type 1 ROP.

Results.

In 34 pairs of Chinese twins, the mean gestational age (GA) was 30.2 ± 2.0 weeks.

In Twin 1, smaller GA (OR = 0.44, P=0.02), higher mean oxygen concentration (OR = 1.34, P=0.03), presence of thrombocytopenia (OR = 1429.60, P<0.0001), and intraventricular hemorrhage (OR = 18.67, P=0.03) were significant risk factors for ROP.

For Twin 2, a smaller GA (OR = 0.45, P=0.03) was the only risk factor.

There were no significant risk factors for ROP in Twin 1 or Twin 2 on multivariate analysis.

Conclusion.

In Chinese twin pairs, smaller GA was the only common risk factor for ROP while Twin 1 was more susceptible to the postnatal risks for ROP.