ROPscore algorithm
The ROPScore data management was carried out according to data at the sixth week postpartum visit by means of a Microsoft® Excel spreadsheet as previously described by Eckert et al.(9) (Figure 1) The algorithm was already set up with an equation of ß-coefficients of risk factors using a linear regression analysis.(9)The data of BW, GA, weight at sixth of life, the positive/negative history regarding blood transfusion till the first six-week check-up and the need for oxygen in mechanical ventilation was used to calculate ROP scores. To eliminate bias, another staff member, who was unaware of the ROP stage of the participants, entered all data into a separate ROPScore Excel spreadsheet.
Clinical characteristics of patients in terms of the severity of ROP, the GA, BW and type of received medical assistance in NICU were compiled retrospectively from the patients’ file. The ROP scores, positive and negative predictive values were analyzed retrospectively to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the model.