Which statement about retinopathy of prematurity is most accurate?

Which statement about retinopathy of prematurity is most accurate?

• A. Occurs only after exposure to high concentrations of O2 for 12 or more hours
• B. Cannot occur in patients who have never received supplemental O2
• C. Is caused by obliteration of immature retinal arteries
• D. Is most commonly seen in newborns younger than 44 weeks postconceptual age

Answer: (D)

Retinopathy of prematurity arises from abnormal retinal vessel development in the immature retina of very preterm infants. The key point is that it most often occurs within a window defined by postconceptual age, specifically before about 44 weeks, when the retina is still incompletely vascularized. This timing explains why the statement describing newborns younger than 44 weeks postconceptual age as most commonly affected is the most accurate. Oxygen exposure is a risk factor, but it is not the only determinant, and ROP can occur with varying oxygen histories or even in infants who never received supplemental oxygen. The disease is better described as disrupted vascular growth with later abnormal neovascularization rather than simply obliteration of immature retinal arteries.

Retinopathy of prematurity arises from abnormal retinal vessel development in the immature retina of very preterm infants. The key point is that it most often occurs within a window defined by postconceptual age, specifically before about 44 weeks, when the retina is still incompletely vascularized. This timing explains why the statement describing newborns younger than 44 weeks postconceptual age as most commonly affected is the most accurate. Oxygen exposure is a risk factor, but it is not the only determinant, and ROP can occur with varying oxygen histories or even in infants who never received supplemental oxygen. The disease is better described as disrupted vascular growth with later abnormal neovascularization rather than simply obliteration of immature retinal arteries.