Most Up-to-Date Analysis of Epidemiological Data on the Screening Guidelines and Incidence of Retinopathy of Prematurity in Europe—A Literature Review

Abstract

Introduction: Global predictions indicate that the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is increasing, but the lack of current epidemiological data on the occurrence of ROP in Europe prompted the authors to update these data. Methods: European studies related to the presence of ROP were analyzed, and the reason for the differences in the percentage of ROP and different screening criteria were checked. Results: The study presents results from individual and multiple centers. Current ROP incidence data varies from a low of 9.3% in Switzerland to the highest values of 64.1% in Portugal and 39.5% in Norway. The national screening criteria are used in the Netherlands, Germany, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Switzerland, and Sweden. Uniform criteria—Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health guidelines are used in England and Greece. American Academy of Pediatrics screening guidelines are used in France and Italy. Conclusions: The epidemiology of ROP in European countries varies significantly. The increase in the diagnosis and treatment rate of ROP in recent years correlates with the narrowing of diagnostic criteria in newly issued guidelines (which include the WINROP and G-ROP algorithms), a higher number of less developed preterm infants, and a lower percentage of live births.

Keywords

• retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in Europe
• epidemiology of ROP
• screening for ROP
• percentage of accurate diagnoses of ROP
• percentage of premature infants treated for ROP