EPIDEMIOLOGY AND CLINICAL PROFILE OF RETINOPATHY OF PREMATURITY IN AT RISK NEW BORNS IN NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNITS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL, TELANGANA INDIA.

Abstract

Background: The incidence of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) in different regions across India has been reported to range from 38% to 47%. Objective: This study aims to identify the incidence and determinants of ROP among "at-risk" newborns treated at neonatal intensive care units (NICU) in a tertiary care hospital.
Methodology: A prospective observational study done during 2021-23, in 100 at risk new borns for ROP in a tertiary care hospital. Screening for ROP was done, as per guidelines by national health mission. The international classification of retinopathy of prematurity was used for disease staging. All enrolled patients were followed up even after discharge from the NICU, end point was until treatable stage of ROP was reached, or spontaneous regression and/or completion of vascularization. Data was analyzed with IBM SPSS 23 (SPSS, Chicago, Illinois, USA). P value < 0.05 was considered significant.
Results: Incidence of ROP was 42% (with Type 1 in 9% & Type 2 in 33%), of which 9 had laser surgery prior to discharge, and all were followed up. Average birth weight was 1793 g, average gestational age 32weeks. Determinants of ROP identified in the current study were gestational age, pre term delivery, neonates who received mechanical ventilation, also mean number of days on mechanical ventilation and CPAP with Fio2 >50(4.4 days in neonates with ROP and 1.4 days in neonates without ROP).

Conclusion: ROP is essentially asymptomatic in the early stages, standards of practice now demand carefully timed retinal examination of at risk infants. The burden of Type 1 & APROP is increasing, as seen in higher gestation and birth weights.