INCIDENCE AND RISK FACTORS FOR RETINOPATHY OF PREMATURITY IN A LEVEL 3 NICU OF A TEACHING INSTITUTE IN MAHARASHTRA.

Abstract

Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a serious complication seen in premature babies post treatment which can lead to blindness unless and until it is recognized and treated early. The objective was Objective: to estimate the incidence of ROP in preterm infants in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and to identify the risk factors which predispose to ROP. : ROP prospective screening survey was performed enrolling all premature Materials and Methods babies admitted to the NICU for a period of six months, with a gestational age of 34 weeks or less at birth and a birth weight of 2000gm or less. Those with a BW>2000g or GA>34 weeks with an unstable clinical course were included in the study as per recent IAP guidelines. The incidence of ROP in our study was 18.6%. Among babies with Results: gestational age less than 34 weeks had ROP incidence 31.1 %. No ROP was found in infants those who had weight of ≥ 2000g. Maximum babies had stage 2 ROP; only 1 baby had stage 1 ROP and all regressed spontaneously. Two babies had stage 3 ROP and required laser ablative therapy. Pearson Chi-Square test showed that there was a significant relationship between the occurrence of ROP and gestational age (P = 0.015) and low birth weight (P = 042) and number of days the baby was exposed to oxygen (p=0.0324). The incidence of ROP in our study was 18.6%. Low gestational Conclusion: age, low birth weight, oxygen therapy, were significant risk factors for ROP. Screening for early identification of retinal damage done soon after birth is important to prevent this blindness.