Prevalence, patterns, and risk factors of retinopathy of prematurity in a tertiary care multispecialty hospital in North Karnataka

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to study the patterns, prevalence, and risk factors which contribute to the development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in a tertiary care multispecialty hospital. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study from April 2019 to March 2021. All the infants screened at our hospital for ROP as per the Government of India “Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram” guidelines were included. Baseline characteristics, systemic risk factors, and ocular findings including ROP stages and zones involved were noted in the designated pro forma. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 25 software. Results: Of the 604 eyes of 302 infants screened, 27.8% had ROP. The mean gestational age (GA) and birth weight were 32+5 ± 2+1 weeks and 1.46 ± 0.39 kg, respectively. Among the 160 eyes with ROP, 44 eyes (27.5%) had Stage I ROP in Zone I, 57 eyes (35.6%) had Stage II ROP in Zone II, 17 eyes had Stage III (10.7%) ROP in Zone I and Zone II, and 42 eyes (26.25%) had aggressive posterior ROP (APROP). None had Stage IV or V ROP. GA <34 weeks, presence of blood transfusion, apnea, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), anemia, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), and presence of two or more risk factors were positively associated with the development of ROP. Conclusion: The rate of ROP in our hospital is comparable to previously published data. A high rate of APROP was noted among the eyes developing ROP. Low GA and the presence of apnea, IVH, anemia, and RDS were associated with an increased chance of developing ROP.