👶 Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) Screening Indication
This tool applies the Chinese retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening criteria to decide whether a preterm infant needs fundus examination, with first-exam timing and staging reference.
Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) Screening Indication
Gestational age at birth (wk)
Birth weight (g)
Birth weight ≥ 2000 g but critically ill (prolonged oxygen / mechanical ventilation / CPAP)
When to use
Use in the NICU to identify preterm infants who require ROP screening and to schedule the first dilated fundus examination.
How it works
Screen if GA < 32 wk OR birth weight < 2000 g OR (birth weight ≥ 2000 g but critically ill with prolonged oxygen). First exam at 4–6 weeks postnatal or 32 weeks corrected GA, whichever is later.
Key points
- The Chinese thresholds (GA < 32 wk or BW < 2000 g) are deliberately broader than US AAP criteria (GA ≤ 30 wk or BW ≤ 1500 g) to reduce missed disease.
- Follow-up interval is set by zone, stage and the presence of plus disease; type 1 / threshold disease is referred for laser or anti-VEGF treatment.
- Pre-threshold disease tends to appear around 36 weeks corrected GA and threshold disease around 37 weeks, so timely first screening and follow-up prevent ROP blindness.
References
- Chinese ROP Screening Guideline (2014), Chinese Medical Association ophthalmology group.
- Fierson WM, AAP. Screening Examination of Premature Infants for ROP. Pediatrics 2018.
Decision support for licensed clinicians only; not a substitute for clinical judgement, diagnosis or local protocols.