Publication:

Incidence, severity and risk factors of retinopathy of prematurity in a tertiary care centre in Kerala

Background The aim was to study the incidence, severity and risk factors of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in neonates delivered in or referred to neonatology and paediatrics department of a tertiary care hospital in Kerala.

Methods COHORT study in the department of neonatology and paediatrics, of a tertiary care hospital in Kerala. There were 56 newborns satisfying the inclusion criteria. Data was collected and entered in the standardized data collection chart, and analysed.

Results Out of the 56 newborns studied, 12 babies developed ROP, and the incidence was found to be 21.4% (12/56). 41.6% (5/12) each developed stage 1 and stage 2 disease, 16.66% (2/12) developed stage 3 disease whereas no one developed stage 4 or stage 5 disease. Multiple maternal risk factors were studied showed no statistical association. Incidence of ROP was found higher in lower gestational age group and low birth weight. Surfactant administration, longer duration of oxygen therapy, anemia, need for blood transfusion, sepsis and phototherapy were significantly associated with development of ROP.

Conclusions Incidence of ROP was found to be 21.4 % (12/56) with higher proportion of neonates developing early stages of ROP. The incidence of ROP in the present study is comparable to most of the national and international studies, but some studies showed increased incidence of ROP also. Most of the risk factors associated with ROP arise during the stay in neonatal intensive care unit and some of them are avoidable. The incidence of ROP can be decreased by monitoring the risk factors, timely screening, regular follow up and appropriate interventions.