Authors : Kavin Shroff, Khushnood Sheikh, Manisha Patel
DOI : 10.18231/j.ijceo.2020.061
Volume : 6
Issue : 2
Year : 2020
Page No : 282-285
Introduction: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a disorder seen in preterm babies. ROP is a potentially
preventable cause of irreversible total blindness in premature infants. Recent advancements in neonatal
care have led to an increase in the survival of low birth weight infants, resulting in a rise of ROP incidence.
Globally, ROP is estimated to affect more than 50,000 infants annually. In India, every year, 500 children
are estimated to become blind from ROP. If left untreated it can be a third epidemic which can be prevented
by appropriate screening.
Objectives: To find the prevalence of ROP To identify the risk factors for ROP.
Materials and Methods: Reterospective study analysis was done for 2.5 years at tertiary care hospital
where after taking permission from institutional ethical committee 293 babies were enrolled in this
study who were referred from paediatrician as per the standard guidelines of “Rashtriya Bal swasthya
karyakram”. All babies were dilated with combination drops of Tropicamide 0.8%w/v and Phenylephrine
hydrochloride 5%w/v. All the high risk term babies and preterm babies(<32>
were examined 4 weeks postpartum and babies with <=28 weeks were examined at 2 weeks postpartum
by Viteroretinal surgeon till the retina matures. Grading was done by following International classification
of ROP. All babies retina were examined up to Ora Serrata, Collected data were analysed by Chi-square
test.
Results: Among 293 babies Prevalence of ROP identified was 32%. 93 babies were very low birth weight
(31.7%)(<1>
guidelines of World Health Organization for birth weight. ROP was found in 52 out of 93 very low birth
weight babies(55%) and 40 out of 135 low birth weight babies(29%). P value was less than 0.0001 which
was statistically significant. ROP was found in 80 Out of 157 pre term babies (50%). Logistic regression
was performed to ascertain the effect of birth weight and gestational age.
Conclusion: ROP occurs mostly in extreme low birth weight and preterm infants. In middle-incomecountries
like India, high rates of premature birth, and increasing resuscitation of premature infants, often
with suboptimal standards of care, have resulted in a third epidemic of ROP. It is essential to screen
premature babies and babies with low birth weight. Awareness regarding ROP screening is a key factor
for it’s prevention.
Keywords: Low birth weight, Preterm, Risk factors, Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP).