Which statement about risk factors for retinopathy of prematurity is true?

Which statement about risk factors for retinopathy of prematurity is true?

• A. Oxygen exposure always causes ROP
• B. Birth weight <1500 g increases risk
• C. Oxygen exposure is not a risk factor
• D. ROP only occurs in term infants

Answer: (B)

Lower birth weight is a strong risk factor for retinopathy of prematurity because the retina of very premature infants is not fully vascularized at birth. Infants with birth weights under about 1500 g are typically more premature and have immature retinal vessels that are especially vulnerable to abnormal growth when exposed to the postnatal environment, including oxygen therapy. Oxygen exposure can contribute to ROP, but it does not guarantee it, and some infants with less oxygen exposure still develop ROP while others with significant exposure do not. ROP is a disease of prematurity, so it does not occur in term infants.

Lower birth weight is a strong risk factor for retinopathy of prematurity because the retina of very premature infants is not fully vascularized at birth. Infants with birth weights under about 1500 g are typically more premature and have immature retinal vessels that are especially vulnerable to abnormal growth when exposed to the postnatal environment, including oxygen therapy. Oxygen exposure can contribute to ROP, but it does not guarantee it, and some infants with less oxygen exposure still develop ROP while others with significant exposure do not. ROP is a disease of prematurity, so it does not occur in term infants.