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Incidence of Retinopathy of Prematurity in Botswana: A Prospective Observational Study
Alemayehu Mekonnen Gezmu1, Jemal Zeberga Shifa2, Graham E Quinn3
1Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana.
Insights
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) affects 11% of screened premature infants in Botswana, with sight-threatening ROP in 3.5%. Key risk factors include low birth weight and gestational age, highlighting the need for improved screening protocols.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neonatology
- Public Health
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a leading cause of childhood blindness.
- Rising ROP incidence in low- and middle-income countries due to improved neonatal care.
- No prior data on ROP incidence in Botswana.
Purpose of the Study:
- Determine the incidence of ROP in Gaborone, Botswana.
- Identify ROP-associated risk factors in premature infants.
- Provide initial data from a single neonatal care center.
Main Methods:
- Prospective observational study at Princess Marina Hospital, Gaborone.
- Enrolled premature neonates with birth weight <1,801 g or gestational age <34 weeks.
- ROP screening using indirect ophthalmoscopy, classified per International Classification of ROP (2005).
Main Results:
- 264 infants enrolled; 200 screened (75.8%).
- ROP incidence of 11% (22/200 infants); 3.5% had type 1 (sight-threatening) ROP.
- Significant risk factors for ROP: lower birth weight, lower gestational age, and blood transfusion.
Conclusions:
- ROP is a treatable cause of blindness in Botswana.
- Lack of screening protocols and delayed diagnosis/management contribute to poor outcomes for type 1 ROP.
- Urgent need for established ROP screening and management protocols in Botswana.
Background:
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a widely recognized cause of blindness after preterm birth. The incidence of ROP is rising especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) because of improved neonatal care and increased survival of very premature neonates. To date, there is no data on incidence of ROP in Botswana.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to provide initial data and determine ROP-associated risk factors from a single neonatal care center on the incidence of ROP in Gaborone, Botswana.
Methods:
A prospective observational study was conducted at Princess Marina Hospital (PMH) in Gaborone, Botswana. Premature neonates with birth weights (BW) of <1,801 g or gestational age (GA) of <34 weeks were enrolled in this study. Diagnostic examinations were conducted using an indirect ophthalmoscope with 28D lens. ROP findings were classified according to the most advanced stage of ROP reached using the International Classification of ROP (2005). Data were entered into STATA version 15 statistical software for analysis.
Results:
There were 264 premature infants enrolled in the study. ROP screening was performed on 200 (75.8%). Of all 264 enrolled patients 133 (50.4%) were female. The mean GA was 30.3±2.6 (range 24-37) weeks and the mean BW was 1302.2±285.9 g (range 725-2035). Out of 200 who were screened, we identified 22 with ROP with a ROP incidence of 11%. The incidence of type 1 ROP (sight-threatening) was found to be 3.5%. This study identified a significant difference in possible ROP risk factors between those infants who develop ROP and those who do not, eg, BW (p<0.001), GA (p=0.024) and blood transfusion (p=0.001).
Conclusion:
This study demonstrates that ROP is a treatable cause of blindness in Botswana. Lack of a proper screening protocol, delay in diagnosis and management are plausible reasons for poor outcome in those who were diagnosed with type 1 ROP.
