A retrospective study of the incidence, patterns, and risk factors of retinopathy of prematurity in infants with birth weight >1500 g in a South Indian tertiary care hospital.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to determine the incidence, patterns, and risk factors for the development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in infants weighing >1500 g at birth.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis was done of the ROP screening records between April 2019 and March 2022. All the infants with birth weight >1500 g who underwent ROP screening were included. Data collected included demographic details, details of the risk factors (respiratory distress syndrome [RDS], hypoxia, anemia, septicemia, patent ductus arteriosus, congenital heart disease [CHD], i.e., atrial septal defects or ventricular septal defects, and multiple gestations), and ocular examination findings. Statistical analyses included calculation of mean, range, Chi-square test, and bivariate logistic regression for associations of risk factors with ROP.

RESULTS

ROP was noted in 16.6% of the 336 eyes of 168 infants. The mean birth weight and mean gestational age (GA) of the infants were 1850 ± 33 g and 33.33 weeks ± 1.71 weeks, respectively. Eighteen eyes (32.1%) had Stage I, 17 eyes (30.35%) had Stage II, and 11 eyes (19.64%) had Stage III ROP in Zone II. Aggressive ROP was seen in 8 eyes (14.28%) and stage 5 ROP in two eyes (0.59%). Male gender, GA, CHD, and RDS showed a statistically significant association with the development of ROP in these infants.

CONCLUSION

ROP was seen in 16.66% of our subjects. Treatment was required in 6.25% of infants. Risk factors for the development of ROP were low gestational age, male gender, the presence of RDS, and congenital heart disease.