Prevalence, risk factors and severity of retinopathy of prematurity in preterm infants in a tertiary care hospital in rural Karnataka

Abstract

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a condition which is one of the major causes of preventable childhood blindness. ROP may develop in premature new-borns due to avascular or incompletely vascularized retina at birth which are prone to damage. The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), as well as its risk factors and severity, among newborns who were admitted to and screened at a tertiary care facility that serves a rural community.A cross-sectional study was conducted for a period of 1 year. All infants born prematurely who were admitted to the hospital and had a birth weight of less than or equal to 1500 g and/or less than 32 weeks of gestation were included in the study. Additionally, babies born between 1501-2500 grams and/or 33-35 weeks who were at a higher risk were also included. Under aseptic conditions all preterms were screened with RetCam in NICU of a tertiary hospital situated in rural area in Karnataka.224 preterm babies were screened for ROP. No ROP was noted in 185 babies (82.59%), 9 babies had stage 1 (4.02%), 21 babies stage 2 (9.38%), 9 babies had stage 3 ROP (4.02). No infant developed stage 4 and stage 5 ROP. Prevalence of ROP is 17.41% in our study. Low birth weight (LBW), Very low birth weight (VLBW), Respiratory Distress Syndrome and sepsis are found to be clinically significant in this study.In this study, the prevalence of ROP is 17.41%. LBW, VLBW, Respiratory Distress Syndrome and sepsis are found to significant risk factors. Early screening and timely appropriate treatment of ROP can prevent from causing childhood blindness.