Joshi Rajesh S, Singh Harsha, Joshi Riya, Tekade Pradeep, Patil Abhijit S
Ophthalmology, Government Medical College, Akola, IND.
Ophthalmology, Government Medical College and Hospital, Nagpur, IND.
Cureus. 2025 Jul 3;17(7):e87259. doi: 10.7759/cureus.87259. eCollection 2025 Jul.
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a vasoproliferative retinal disorder predominantly affecting premature infants with low birth weight. This study aims to investigate the incidence, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of ROP among preterm infants in central India, where the healthcare infrastructure and accessibility vary significantly.
This prospective, observational, non-randomized study was conducted over three years in a tertiary teaching hospital in central India. The study included neonates with a gestational age of less than 34 weeks and/or birth weight of below 2000 grams, as well as neonates between 34 and 36 weeks of gestation who had specific risk factors (e.g., oxygen therapy, sepsis, multiple births, blood transfusion) and were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. Infants were screened for ROP, and outcomes were categorized based on the severity of the disease.
Of the 300 preterm infants enrolled, 90 (30%) developed ROP, with 60 (20%) having mild ROP and 30 (10%) requiring treatment for severe ROP. Severe ROP was significantly associated with lower gestational age (mean: 29.8 weeks) and lower birth weight (mean: 1200 grams). Prolonged oxygen therapy, sepsis, multiple pregnancies, and blood transfusions were identified as significant risk factors. Following laser photocoagulation treatment, 85% (n=25) of infants with severe ROP showed regression, though 15% (n=13) experienced complications leading to significant visual impairment.
This study emphasizes the importance of comprehensive ROP screening, optimized oxygen therapy guidelines, and robust infection control to mitigate the risk of ROP in central India. Future research should focus on long-term outcomes and innovative prevention and treatment approaches tailored to this population's unique needs.
早产儿视网膜病变（ROP）是一种以血管增生为特征的视网膜疾病，主要影响低体重早产儿。本研究旨在调查印度中部早产儿中ROP的发病率、危险因素及临床结局，该地区医疗基础设施和可及性差异显著。
这项前瞻性、观察性、非随机研究在印度中部一家三级教学医院进行了三年。研究纳入了孕周小于34周和/或出生体重低于2000克的新生儿，以及孕周在34至36周之间且有特定危险因素（如氧疗、败血症、多胎妊娠、输血）并入住新生儿重症监护病房的新生儿。对婴儿进行ROP筛查，并根据疾病严重程度对结局进行分类。
在纳入的300例早产儿中，90例（30%）发生了ROP，其中60例（20%）为轻度ROP，30例（10%）因重度ROP需要治疗。重度ROP与较低的孕周（平均：29.8周）和较低的出生体重（平均：1200克）显著相关。长时间氧疗、败血症、多胎妊娠和输血被确定为重要危险因素。激光光凝治疗后，85%（n = 25）的重度ROP婴儿病情好转，尽管15%（n = 13）出现并发症导致严重视力损害。
本研究强调了全面的ROP筛查、优化的氧疗指南和强有力的感染控制对于降低印度中部ROP风险的重要性。未来的研究应关注长期结局以及针对该人群独特需求的创新预防和治疗方法。
