Incidence and risk factors of retinopathy of prematurity in Western India - Report from A Regional Institute of Ophthalmology.

INTRODUCTION

Retinopathy of prematurity is an important cause of childhood blindness amongst premature babies in developing as well as developed world.

OBJECTIVES

To report the incidence and risk factors of ROP from a regional institute of Ophthalmology in western India and compare it with the existing scenario.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was prospective observational study of babies born at <34 weeks of gestational and/or <1700 grams birth weight between January 2012 and October 2013. Birth related information viz. O2 administration was recorded in consultation with a neonatologist and babies were evaluated for the presence of ROP. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for any-ROP and severe-ROP requiring treatment.

RESULTS

Out of 280 babies screened, any-ROP was seen 54 babies(19.28%) out of which, severe-ROP was found in 28 babies(10.29%).Likelihood of developing any-ROP increased 3 fold (95%CI=1.1 - 6.5), and severe-ROP by 7 fold (95%CI=1.6 - 27.5), if oxygen therapy as administered. Older gestational age was associated with reduced likelihood of developing severe-ROP (Odds ratio=0.79, 95%CI=0.6 - 0.9) but not any-ROP. Twenty four babies (86%) with severe ROP responded well to laser or Bevacizumab therapy while 4 babies developed retinal detachment.

CONCLUSION

This is the first report quoting only incidence and risk factors of ROP from western India. One in 5 babies develop any-ROP similar to that reported across rest of the country. The incidence of severe-ROP requiring treatment appears to be marginally higher, and treatment outcomes in these eyes are similar to that reported in literature.