RETINOPATHY OF PREMATURITY IN PREMATURE INFANTS ADMITTED AT NICU
Dr. Rajendra Rai*
ABSTRACT
Background: Retinopathy of prematurity is a leading cause of preventable childhood blindness in middle-income countries and the developed world. Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a major complication of preterm birth. The etiology of ROP appears to be multifactorial and complex. Identification of post natal factors that affect the risk for and the course of retinopathy of prematurity might allow neonatologists and ophthalmologists to attempt to prevent the disease and to limit comorbidities with which it shares modifiable risk factors. Materials and Methods: The data were retrieved retrospectively from medical record section and reviewed. Premature infants admitted in NICU over a period of 2 years were determined for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Data were analyzed by using Medcalc statistical software version 15.8 in the computation of the test statistics. Results: In our study, a total number of patients who had ROP screening was 50, out of them 16(32%) had ROP findings. Out of 16 ROP cases, 7(43.75%) had stage I ROP, 7(43.75%) had stage II ROP, 1(6.25%) had stage III ROP and 1(6.25%) had stage V ROP. Results showed that only few are significantly affecting the occurrence of retinopathy of prematurity of patient. Specifically, results showed that apnea (p=0.008), RDS (p=0.029), blood transfusion (p=0.015), mechanical ventilator (p=0.019) and oxygen support (p=0.058) have significant effect on outcome of ROP in premature patients. All the other variables turn out to be not significant. Conclusion: Apnea, RDS, blood transfusion, and use of mechanical ventilator and oxygen therapy were risk factor in the patients with ROP. This study reaffirmed that the development of retinopathy is multifactorial. Therefore, a high index of suspicion, appropriate screening, prompt diagnosis and early treatment will prevent the progression of ROP to blindness.
Keywords: Retinopathy of Prematurity, Prematurity, Risk factors.
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