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A Study of the Demographic Profile, Screening, and Management of Patients Visiting a Retinopathy of Prematurity
Iqra Mushtaq1, Tushar Agrawal1, Deepaswi Bhavsar1
1Ophthalmology, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, Pune, IND.
Insights
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) affects 24% of premature infants, with prematurity, low birth weight, and oxygen therapy as key risk factors. Early detection and intervention are crucial for preventing childhood blindness from ROP.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neonatology
- Public Health
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a significant cause of childhood blindness in premature infants.
- Despite advancements in neonatal care, ROP remains a global concern.
- Understanding ROP demographics and risk factors is vital for predictive modeling and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the incidence of ROP in a tertiary care hospital in Maharashtra.
- To identify risk factors associated with ROP development.
- To assess the outcomes and treatment of ROP cases.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, observational study screened infants with gestational age < 34 weeks or birth weight < 2000 g.
- Screening included infants receiving supplemental oxygen or requiring NICU stay.
- Demographic data were collected, and treatment was based on ROP severity.
Main Results:
- The overall incidence of any ROP was 24% (19 patients, 38 eyes).
- Mean birth weight for infants with ROP was 1331.58 ± 238.532 g.
- ROP stages 1-3 were observed, with 32% having type 1 ROP and 68% type 2 ROP. Six patients (32%) received panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) laser treatment.
Conclusions:
- The incidence of ROP in this cohort was 24%.
- Prematurity, low birth weight, and oxygen therapy are significant risk factors for ROP.
- Timely diagnosis and intervention are critical for improving outcomes and preventing blindness.
Abstract:
Background and objective Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a retinal vasoproliferative disease affecting premature infants. Despite improvements in neonatal care and management, ROP still remains a major cause of childhood blindness worldwide. Studying the demographic profile and screening is essential to develop predictive models, to gain insights into the cause of retinal vascular diseases and diseases of prematurity, and to determine the future management and research in ROP. The objective of the present study was to estimate the incidence of ROP, to identify the risk factors that predispose to ROP, and to assess the outcome of these cases. Hence, this study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Maharashtra. Method A prospective, observational study was conducted from 10 August 2022 to 10 October 2022. Infants with gestational ages < 34 weeks, birth weights < 2000 g, infants who received supplemental oxygen therapy, or patients who required NICU stay were screened for ROP. Demographic details were recorded to assess the risk factors and treatment was given according to the severity of ROP grade. Result A total of 160 eyes of 80 infants were screened and analysed. The overall incidence of "any ROP" was 19 patients (38 eyes), i.e., 24%. Out of 80 patients, six were of 28 weeks gestational age, of whom four (67%) were positive for ROP. The mean birth weight of infants with ROP was 1331.58 ± 238.532 g (p < 0.0001). ROP stage 1 was seen in five patients (26.32%), stage 2 in 10 patients (52.63%), and stage 3 in four patients (21.0%), with no subjects in stages 4 & 5. Out of 19 patients, six (32%) had type 1 ROP, and 13 (68%) had type 2 ROP. Out of 19 cases, 13 (68%) received follow-up care based on the severity of their disease, and six (32%) were treated with panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) laser. Conclusion Incidence of any ROP was 24%. Prematurity, low birth weight, and oxygen therapy remain the most significant risk factors associated with the development of ROP. Early referral, diagnosis, and timely intervention will play a monumental role in improving the prognosis of this potentially blinding disease.
