Retinopathy of prematurity: Risk factors and associated co-morbidities

Abstract

To estimate the prevalence of ROP and identify risk factors and co-morbidities associated with it. This cross-sectional study was performed, enrolling all premature babies admitted to the NICU of Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital, A.M.U., Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh over 18 months. Various risk factors and co-morbidities for ROP were assessed using univariate and multivariate analysis. Out of the studied 164 infants, 29 infants (17.68%) developed ROP in one or both eyes; 51.72% (15/29) had stage 1, 31.03% (9/29) had stage 2, 10.35 % (3/29) had stage 3, and 6.90% (2/29) babies had aggressive posterior retinopathy of prematurity (APROP). On univariate analysis, we observed a significant association between ROP and gestational age, low birth weight, multiple gestations, mechanical ventilation, history and duration of oxygen supplementation, history of blood transfusion, respiratory distress syndrome, apnea and sepsis. However, after multivariate analysis, only low birth weight, oxygen therapy, respiratory distress syndrome and apnea were found to have a significant association with ROP. A prevalence of 17.68% emphasises the importance of neonatal screening in this region. Low birth weight, oxygen therapy, apnea, respiratory distress syndrome pose significant risk factors for ROP. Supplemental oxygen should be weaned off as early as possible,

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

“…There was no much difference in incidence of ROP among male and female babies in our study which is similar in other studies. [10][11][12] The mean gestational age was 32.44 ± 2 weeks in this study and mean birth weight was 1.59 ± 0.36kg which corelated with the study by Dwivedi A et al reported Mean gestational age (GA) of 33.28 ± 0.105 and mean birth weight (BW) was 1.63 ± 0.015. 7 And a study by Kumar et al which showed mean birth weight and gestation of the infants screened for ROP as1335±351 g and 31±2.2 wks, respectively.…”

“…12 The research conducted by Rizvi SA et al found that there was a strong relationship between the development of ROP and gestational age, LBW, multiple gestation, a history of blood transfusion, respiratory distress syndrome, and infection. 10 However, we found that there is no significant association between ROP and sex, neonatal jaundice.…”

“…5 Vinekar A, et al, reported the incidence of any stage ROP was 22.39%. 9 The prevalence of ROP was found to be 17.68% in Rizvi SA et al 10 6 the prevalence of ROP is 19.2%. Among ROP newborns, 40% were in stage 1, 40% were in stage 2 & 20% were in stage 3.…”

“…6 The study conducted by Rizvi SA et al found that the average gestational age of the newborns who participated was 32.43 weeks (2.18 weeks), and their average birth weight was 1.55 kg (0.39 kg). 10 According to the statistics, the occurrence of ROP rose when both BW and GA decreased. 13 According to research done by Rizvi SA et al, having a low birth weight is an additional important risk factor for the development of ROP.…”

“…13 According to research done by Rizvi SA et al, having a low birth weight is an additional important risk factor for the development of ROP. 10 The CRYO ROP study, which was a multicenter trial using cryotherapy, came to the conclusion that a higher risk of developing ROP was associated with a lower birth weight. 14 According to the research carried out by Nikhil R et al, a lower birth weight was strongly associated with an increased incidence of ROP.…”