Validation of the existing modified screening criteria for detection of all cases of Retinopathy of Prematurity in preterm babies – 11 year study from a governorate referral hospital in Oman

Abstract

Our modified screening criteria seem to be appropriate as no infant with severe ROP was missed during the study period. Incidence of severe ROP among babies in the extended criteria group (5.4%) is low but significant compared to lower gestational age. We plan to formulate a scoring system following all risk factor analysis to enable us to optimize the number of infants screened. Detection of all babies with ROP is important as they need long-term follow-up for the timely detection and management of associated ocular comorbidities.

Retrospective cohort study shows that the risks for retinopathy of prematurity included birth age and weight, medical conditions and treatment

“…The percentage of patients who developed severe treatable ROP in our study was 10.2%, which was comparable to previous studies in Egypt (11.66%, 9.6%) , Saudi Arabia (6.48%) , Oman (7.3%) and Iran (8.3%) .…”

“…The median GA of preterm neonates who developed severe treatable ROP was 29 weeks (range 27–33 weeks), and was similar to previous studies . Patients who developed severe treatable ROP had a significantly lower GA and a significantly lower BW than patients who did not develop ROP and patients who developed mild or moderate ROP.…”

“…Retinopathy of prematurity was detected in 69.4% of the patients included in the current study. The incidence of ROP in Middle Eastern countries has been reported to range between 23.31% and 56% and two studies from Alexandria, Egypt, reported an incidence of 33.7% and 36.5%, respectively . The relatively high incidence in our study could be due to the fact that we work in a tertiary hospital, which means that we see a large number of preterm deliveries, we provide a screening programme that allows better adherence to follow‐up and we use digital fundus photography to screen and detect ROP .…”

“…The proportion of blindness as a result of ROP varies greatly among countries, depending on their level of development, being influenced by the availability of neonatal care, neonatal outcomes and whether effective screening and treatment programmes are in place . Moreover, the incidence of ROP and the need for treatment vary due to differences in the screening criteria, observer difference and ethnic variations in susceptibility to ROP .…”

Retinopathy of prematurity risk factors: Does human milk prevent retinopathy of prematurity?

“…Frequent blood transfusions, severe infections, intracranial hemorrhages, bronchopulmonary diseases and artificial ventilation are the other well-known important risk factors. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][13][14][15][16][17][18] These risk factors are closely related with the natural course of the disease. For example; immaturity of bone marrow, lymphoid tissue and liver is responsible from infections, hemorrhages and increased need of blood transfusion.. Immature bronchopulmonary tissue causes the prolonged need of artificial ventilation.…”