English

Abstract

BACKGROUND Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) also known as retrolental fibroplasia is a vasoproliferative retinopathy which affects the retinal blood vessels in developing state. ROP is one of the major causes of preventable blindness in children. It usually occurs in very low birth weight premature infants. Its presentation varies from complete regression in some, to leaving long term sequelae in others. Our aim was to find the prevalence of ROP in Ganjam district, Odisha. METHODS A prospective study was undertaken in M.K.C.G. Medical College and Hospital along with Christian Hospital and City Hospital, Berhampur, from 01/10/2016 to 30/09/2018. Babies fulfilling the inclusion criteria were screened after 3rd week of life or post-conceptional age of 31 - 33 weeks whichever was at a later date, and followed till 45 weeks of gestation according to stage. The babies were screened by indirect ophthalmoscopy and 28 D lens with the help of infant speculum and scleral depressor after instilling topical anaesthetic 2 % proparacaine. The pupil was dilated with 0.4 % tropicamide and 2.5 % phenylephrine. Analysis of qualitative data was done by chi-square test. RESULTS Out of 123 babies examined, 26 were lost to follow up and 19 out of 97 babies (19.58 %) developed ROP (inclusive of all stages). Low birth weight, low gestational age, duration of oxygen exposure > 2 days, exchange transfusion, septicaemia with positive CRP value were found to be significant risk factors in development of ROP. Hyperbilirubinemia, gender and multiple gestation were found to be insignificant in the development of ROP. CONCLUSIONS Timely screening, regular follow-up, early detection and intervention are the best ways to reduce the prevalence of ROP. Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) should follow strict guidelines for screening of new-borns. Proper counselling and motivation of parents for regular screening of at-risk infants are the need of the hour. KEYWORDS Retinopathy of Prematurity, Low Birth Weight, Low Gestational Age, Oxygen Exposure, Exchange Transfusion