PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to compare the incidence and severity of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in premature newborns of Syrian refugees and those of Turkish origin. METHODS: This retrospective, the single-center study included 1545 premature infants assigned to two groups based on maternal origin. Group 1 comprised 1366 premature infants of Turkish origin, and Group II comprised 179 premature infants born to Syrian refugees. All the premature infants were screened for ROP by the same ophthalmologist who is experienced in the screening and treatment of ROP. All data including gestational age (GA), birth weight (BW), the presence of ROP, and severe ROP collected from 2014 to 2017 were recorded for each group. The outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The mean GA at birth was 30.6 ± 2 weeks and was significantly lower in Group II (P = 0.03). The overall incidence of ROP was similar in both groups. The incidence of severe ROP in Group II was nearly seven times higher than in Group I (1.5% and 10%, respectively). The incidence of severe ROP seen in Group II evaluated according to different ranges of GA and BW was higher than in Group I. CONCLUSION: The higher incidence of severe ROP in the premature newborns of Syrian refugees could play an important role in identifying ongoing health problems of refugees. © 2019 Middle East African Journal of Ophthalmology.

Incidence retinopathy of prematurity Refugee

refugee ophthalmologist medical examination Syrian Arab Republic human epidemiology Refugees statistics and numerical data controlled study priority journal comparative study Infant, Premature ethnology Humans Severity of Illness Index Infant, Newborn male female Infant risk factor Risk Factors newborn Retinopathy of Prematurity retrolental fibroplasia visual system examination Turk (people) Incidence Article Retrospective Studies major clinical study Syrian Syria Turkey prematurity outcome assessment turkey (bird) disease severity retrospective study Birth Weight gestational age