Which premature babies need screening for retinopathy?

This article is professionally consulted by Master, Resident Doctor Dang Thi Ngoan - Pediatrician - Neonatologist - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Ha Long International Hospital. Uncle used to be a lecturer in the Department of Pediatrics - Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy, and was granted a certificate in Pediatrics at home and abroad such as: Westmead Hospital, Australia; Hai Phong Medical University. Doctor has strengths in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases in infants and young children.

The rate of premature babies born with retinal detachment and visual impairment was highest when the gestational age was less than 28 weeks, and the birth weight was less than 1.5kg at birth. The best time to screen for and treat retinopathy is 3-4 weeks postpartum.

Over the past decades, infantile retinopathy has been cited as the leading cause of blindness in babies born earlier than normal. According to recent statistics, there are more than 500,000 people blind in both eyes in Vietnam, of which there are more than 23,000 children. Unfortunately, 80% of cases of permanent vision loss could have been prevented and treated in time.
At present, photocoagulation method has more outstanding achievements than traditional laser surgery. This is an effective solution to help heal the eyes of children diagnosed with retinopathy at the end stage, when the retina has completely detached. After discharge from the hospital, regularly taking the child to follow up on schedule also helps to limit complications later on such as visual impairment and refractive errors.

2.1. Premature and low birth weight babies The earlier the baby is born, the higher the risk of retinopathy in the newborn, namely:
Gestational age less than 32 weeks (birth from 8 weeks early) Gestational age from 32- 36 weeks (premature birth 4-8 weeks) combined with poor neonatal care Newborns are too light, birth weight is less than 1,500 g Premature babies with diseases such as respiratory failure, pneumonia, anemia ... On the other hand, children who are overweight but do not receive good care are also subject to screening for retinopathy.
2.2. Improper postpartum care The risk of premature babies with retinopathy also increases if the monitoring regime of premature babies during the first few weeks after birth is not guaranteed, such as:
Undernourished children , poor weight gain Children with infections Children breathing too much oxygen for a long time cause damage to blood vessels in the retina Children uncomfortable because of pain, unstable body temperature Babies are not allowed to have skin-to-skin contact and breastfeed . 2.3. Weak capacity of health facilities In the case of children born in areas where equipment and human resources are limited, the percentage of premature babies born with retinal detachment is higher. Influential factors include:
Lack of qualified doctors and nurses Medical staff not properly trained Not having enough ventilators to supply and monitor oxygen The environment in the crib or incubator ensure.

Medical experts advise families to take their children for re-examination on time and not to arbitrarily stop monitoring without a prescription from an ophthalmologist for newborns. In addition, good antenatal care to prevent preterm birth plays a key role in preventing retinopathy of preterm infants. Pregnant women should keep the following notes in mind:
Ensure good control of health problems before pregnancy, including infections (periodontal, urinary tract) and gynecological diseases Stay away from influencing factors cause premature birth such as smoking, overwork Adequate nutrition, reasonable activities and rest Periodic antenatal check-ups to detect early signs of abnormalities that may lead to premature birth, possibly pain back, abnormal vaginal discharge or diarrhea Prompt and aggressive treatment of conditions encountered during pregnancy, eg vaginitis and cervicitis, pyelonephritis urinary tract infection, high fever acute, etc. Take all measures to prolong pregnancy if there is a risk of preterm delivery. , especially the maternity and neonatal information in the referral for retinopathy eye exam .
Overall, increased awareness of the dangers and risk factors for retinopathy in preterm infants, as well as a program of screening and treatment, is essential. To limit vision loss or even permanent blindness for children, the monitoring process requires long-term patience, early diagnosis and aggressive treatment. In addition to the team of doctors and medical staff, it is the parents who play the most important roles from before and during pregnancy, to the postpartum care period.
As a key area of ​​Vinmec Health system, Pediatrics Department always brings satisfaction to customers and is highly appreciated by industry experts with:
Gathering a team of top doctors and nurses in Pediatrics : consists of leading experts with high professional qualifications (professors, associate professors, doctorates, masters), experienced, worked at major hospitals such as Bach Mai, 108.. Doctors All doctors are well-trained, professional, conscientious, knowledgeable about young psychology. In addition to domestic pediatric specialists, the Department of Pediatrics also has the participation of foreign experts (Japan, Singapore, Australia, USA) who are always pioneers in applying the latest and most effective treatment regimens. . Comprehensive services: In the field of Pediatrics, Vinmec provides a series of continuous medical examination and treatment services from Newborn to Pediatric and Vaccine,... according to international standards to help parents take care of their baby's health from birth to childhood. from birth to adulthood Specialized techniques: Vinmec has successfully deployed many specialized techniques to make the treatment of difficult diseases in Pediatrics more effective: neurosurgery - skull surgery, stem cell transplantation. blood in cancer treatment. Professional care: In addition to understanding children's psychology, Vinmec also pays special attention to the children's play space, helping them to have fun and get used to the hospital's environment, cooperate in treatment, improve the efficiency of medical treatment.