Clinical profile and risk factors leading to retinopathy of prematurity

Year: January-March 2018 | Volume: 15 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 11-14

DOI: https://doi.org/10.7199/ped.oncall.2018.11

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

CLINICAL PROFILE AND RISK FACTORS LEADING TO RETINOPATHY OF PREMATURITY

Kumaravel KS, Molugan M.
Department of Pediatrics, Government Dharmapuri Medical College, Dharmapuri, Tamilnadu, India.

Abstract
Aim: To evaluate clinical profile and risk factors of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) among infants admitted to a tertiary care hospital.
Materials And Methods: One year retrospective study of infants who met the criteria for ROP screening.
Results: Of 605 babies who underwent ROP screening, 200 (33%) babies were found to have ROP in various stages. There was a male preponderance (1.3:1). All infants with ROP weighed <2000 gm at birth, with 50.5%, 31% and 14.5% weighing between 1000 and 1500 gm, 1500 and 2000 gm, and less than 1000gms respectively. ROP was most commonly seen in Zone II (74%) and Zone I was the second most common (23%). The most prevalent postnatal risk factors among patients with ROP were respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) (57%) (p<0.001) and use of oxygen therapy (81%) (p<0.001). Forty three percent of infants with ROP had anemia of prematurity (p<0.001), while 26% of these infants required transfusion of packed red blood cells (p<0.001). Other significant postnatal risk factors were presence of sepsis (45%) (p<0.001), patent ductus arteriosus (12%) (p<0.001), hypoglycemia (17%) (p<0.001) and neonatal seizures (12%) (p<0.001). Of the 200 infants who developed ROP, 23 infants warranted laser photocoagulation in both eyes and 21 infants had a birth weight of less than 1500 gm.
Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of ROP screening of at risk neonates. The screening of infants above birth weight of 1750gms and 34 of week’s gestational age should not be missed if they possess any of the risk factors. Neonates <1500gms are to be screened more effectively as need for laser photocoagulation was more seen in this group.

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