To evaluate the incidence and associated risk factors of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in preterm infants conceived through assisted reproductive technology (ART) in China. We conducted a retrospective analysis of preterm infants who were hospitalized between August 2019 and December 2024. Infants were divided into two groups based on mode of conception: ART-conceived and naturally conceived. The incidence of ROP was compared between the groups. Clinical data were collected for both the infants and their mothers. A total of 1,019 preterm infants were included, comprising 195 ART-conceived and 824 naturally conceived infants. ROP was diagnosed in 33 ART-conceived (16.9%) and 136 naturally conceived infants (16.5%), with no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.888). Similarly, no significant difference was observed in ROP staging (P = 0.228). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that, in the ART-conceived group, greater gestational age (OR: 0.618) and a history of antenatal corticosteroid use (OR: 0.278) were protective factors, whereas apnea of prematurity (OR: 3.170) increased the risk of ROP. Similarly, in the naturally conceived group, greater gestational age (OR: 0.840) was also a protective factor, while apnea of prematurity (OR: 1.666) increased the risk of ROP. The incidence of ROP did not differ significantly between ART-conceived and naturally conceived preterm infants. In ART-conceived infants, higher gestational age and a history of antenatal corticosteroid use were protective factors, whereas apnea of prematurity increased the risk of ROP.
Chen et al. (Fri,) studied this question.