The ROPScore as a Screening Algorithm for Predicting Retinopathy of Prematurity in a Brazilian Population

Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2018 Jul 26:73:e377. doi: 10.6061/clinics/2018/e377.

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the accuracy of the ROPScore algorithm as a predictor of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

Methods: A prospective cohort of 220 preterm infants with a birth weight ≤1500 g and/or gestational age ≤32 weeks was included. The ROPScore was determined in the sixth week of life in 181 infants who then survived until a corrected gestational age of 45 weeks. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) of the algorithm were analyzed.

Results: ROP was found in 17.6% of the preterm infants. The sensitivity of this test for any stage of ROP was 87.5%, while that for severe ROP was 95.4% (21/22 cases). The PPV and NPV were 59.6% and 97%, respectively, for any stage of ROP and 44.7% and 99.25%, respectively, for severe ROP. The ROPScore could therefore hypothetically reduce the number of ophthalmologic examinations required to detect ROP by 71.8%.

Conclusion: The ROPScore is a useful screening tool for ROP and may optimize examinations and especially the identification of severe ROP.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms*
  • Birth Weight
  • Brazil
  • Female
  • Gestational Age
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature
  • Male
  • Neonatal Screening / methods*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Reference Standards
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Retinopathy of Prematurity / diagnosis*
  • Risk Assessment / methods
  • Risk Factors
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Severity of Illness Index