Pappa Padmavathi 1 , Sudha Vaikkakara 2 , Ferzana Mohammed 3
BACKGROUND The aim of the study is to detect the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity among low birth weight and preterm infants and identification of potential risk factors for retinopathy of prematurity. MATERIALS AND METHODS It was a prospective cohort study enrolling all neonates who presented for retinopathy of prematurity screening with birth weight ≤1750 g and/or neonates born at less than 34 weeks gestational age and neonates with gestational age between 34 to 37 weeks gestational age or a birth weight between 1750 and 2000 g, if high-risk factors like history of prolonged oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation and haemodynamic instability is present. A total of 100 infants had retinal evaluation by indirect ophthalmoscopy and were followed up periodically. Prenatal and postnatal risk factors for ROP were assessed. RESULTS Out of the 100 infants screened, 37 had ROP. Of the 74 eyes screened, stage 1 was seen in 41 eyes, stage 2 in 19 eyes and stage 3 in 14 eyes. Zone 1 disease was seen in 10 eyes, zone 2 in 24 eyes and zone 3 in 40 eyes plus disease was seen in 10 infants. Lower birth weight (P<0.001), lower gestational age (P<0.001), oxygen therapy, (P=0.001), respiratory distress syndrome (P<0.001), multiple gestation (P<0.001) long length of ICU stay (P<0.001) were significant risk factors in this study. No significant association was detected between maternal age, diabetes, hypertension, treatment for infertility, mode of delivery, sex of infant, mechanical ventilation, 1 minute Apgar score, phototherapy, sepsis and PDA. CONCLUSION The incidence of ROP is 37%. Lower birth weight, prematurity, compromised pulmonary function, multiple gestation, long length of ICU stay were significant risk factors in this study.
