Incidence and Risk Factors of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) in Neonates of Weight 1.5 to 2 kg

Abstract

Objective :-To find incidence and risk factors of ROP in neonates of birth weight 1.5-2 kg. Methods: -All the neonates admitted in NICU at GMC, Amritsar from August 2014 to July 2015 with birth weight 1.5-2 kg were enrolled and followed up for all neonatal problems and interventions and screened for ROP by indirect ophthalmoscope at 4 weeks of postnatal age and followed up till retinal vascularization was complete. Neonatal risk factors including diseases and various interventions and treatment given to them were noted and data was analyzed statistically. Results: -A total of 70 children were screened for ROP, 12 of them were diagnosed with retinopathy of prematurity. Thus, incidence of ROP was 17.1%. 11 of them had stage 1 ROP, 1 had stage 2 ROP with plus disease. On univariate analysis, sepsis and oxygen duration of more than 7 days were significantly associated with development of ROP. None of the risk factor was independent predictor of ROP on logistic regression analysis. Conclusion: -Neonates with birth weight upto 2 kg having sepsis and oxygen therapy duration of more than 7 days and having other risk factors should be screened for ROP as they can develop ROP including threshold ROP.