Severity of retinopathy of prematurity was associated with a higher risk of cerebral dysfunction in young adults born extremely preterm.
AIM
This Swedish study evaluated whether the severity of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in extremely preterm infants was related to their overall outcome in young adulthood.


METHODS
We followed 39 individuals born between 1988 and 1993 at less than 28 gestational weeks, included in the Stockholm Neonatal Project. A total of 19 were treated for severe ROP, and 20 had no or mild ROP. They were assessed for general cognitive abilities and mental health at 18 years of age and compared with 23 term-born controls. Visual acuity was examined at 21-25 years. They were asked about their education and everyday life.


RESULTS
The 19 individuals with severe treated ROP had lower visual acuity and higher risk for intellectual deficits, cerebral palsy and neuropsychiatric diagnoses than those with no or mild ROP and the term controls. Three were visually impaired, none were blind. They were less physically active than the other groups and had more problems finding their way around. However, nine were at university.


CONCLUSION
Young adults treated for severe ROP had more problems resulting from cerebral dysfunction than those with no or mild ROP and term-born controls. Retinal and brain pathologies in the extremely preterm infant constitute different expressions of neurovascular disease.
['Jacobson|Lena|L|0000-0001-8563-2127', 'Vollmer|Brigitte|B|', 'Kistner|Anna|A|0000-0002-7942-3211', 'Böhm|Birgitta|B|']
D000328:Adult D005865:Gestational Age D006801:Humans D007223:Infant D062071:Infant, Extremely Premature D007231:Infant, Newborn D012160:Retina D012178:Retinopathy of Prematurity D013548:Sweden D014792:Visual Acuity D055815:Young Adult
retinopathy of prematurity cerebral dysfunction cognition adult outcome cryo-treatment