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Retinopathy of prematurity in Bangladeshi neonates
A S M Nawshad Uddin Ahmed1, Humaira Muslima, Kazi Shabbir Anwar
1Department of Neonatology, Dhaka Shishu Children's Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Insights
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a significant cause of blindness in premature infants. Early ophthalmologic screening and prompt treatment are crucial for managing ROP, especially in low-resource settings.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neonatology
- Public Health
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a serious eye condition affecting premature infants, with potential for long-term vision impairment.
- Advances in neonatal care have increased survival rates of extremely low birth weight infants, a high-risk group for ROP.
- Early detection and intervention for ROP offer substantial economic and social advantages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence and risk factors of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) in preterm infants.
- To highlight the importance of ophthalmologic screening and timely management of ROP in a low-resource hospital setting.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of preterm infants (gestational age <33 weeks) admitted to Dhaka Shishu Hospital was followed post-discharge.
- Detailed ophthalmologic examinations were performed, and risk factors during pregnancy, delivery, and hospitalization were documented.
- ROP cases were managed based on disease stage at diagnosis.
Main Results:
- 4.4% (5 out of 114) of infants in the follow-up cohort were diagnosed with ROP.
- Identified risk factors for ROP included low gestational age, low birth weight, oxygen therapy, apneic spells, sepsis, and blood transfusions.
Conclusions:
- With increasing survival of preterm infants in resource-limited areas, ROP is a growing concern for childhood blindness.
- Routine ophthalmologic examinations are essential for premature infants to enable early diagnosis and treatment of ROP.
Background:
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a potentially blinding eye disorder that primarily affects premature infants. Increased survival of extremely low birth weight infants following advances in antenatal and neonatal care has resulted in a population of infants at high risk of developing ROP. Long term morbidity of ROP has a spectrum ranging from myopia to blindness. Screening programs and early intervention can provide enormous economic and social benefits.
Materials And Methods:
Preterm infants of gestational age <33 weeks admitted to the Special Care Nursery of Dhaka Shishu Hospital for a trial of topical emollient therapy during December 1998-July 2003 were followed-up after hospital discharge, including detailed ophthalmologic examination. Detailed history regarding risks during pregnancy, delivery and hospital stay was documented. ROP cases were managed according to the stage of the disease at diagnosis.
Results:
Five out of the 114 (4.4%) children seen in follow-up were diagnosed with ROP. Low gestational age, low birth weight, administration of oxygen, apneic spells, sepsis and blood transfusions were common factors among cases who developed ROP.
Conclusion:
As survival of preterm infants in low resource settings increases, ROP will become increasingly important as a potential cause of blindness, emphasizing the critical need for ophthalmologic examination in premature infants, with immediate initiation of treatment when ROP is diagnosed.
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