Incidence of Retinopathy of Prematurity at a Tertiary Care Children Hospital

Abstract

Purpose:

To study the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity at a tertiary care children hospital

Methods:

After obtaining ethical approval, this cross sectional study was performed on all the patients who presented to pediatric ophthalmology department of CH & ICH from July 2018 to December, 2021. These included neonates admitted in NICU of CH&ICH and also referrals from other hospitals. The babies born before 34 weeks of gestation or birth weight less than 2000 grams, and given supplemental oxygen, who required hospital admission were screened in first 30 days of life. Prior to examination, the pupil was dilated using 10% phenylephrine and 0.5% cyclopentolate and 0.1% tropicamide eye drops by a trained nurse. The fundus examination was carried out under topical anesthesia using proparacaine 0.5%, after swaddling the baby. ETROP criteria was used for treatment, i-e patients with stage3 ROP or plus disease in Zone 1 were treated immediately. Other stages were kept on a close follow up.

Results:

Three hundred and seventy seven neonates were male (60.5%). Total number of patients with any stage of ROP was 40 (13.07%). Those with type 1 ROP were treated with laser or intra- vitreal anti- VEGF (bevacizumab 0.625 mg in 0.05ml). Those with type 2 disease were observed on weekly basis for worsening of features. There were 13 patients who received intra- vitreal injection and only one of them required diode laser after injection.

Conclusion:

A multidisciplinary team is essential to prevent blindness due to ROP in developing countries. Screening the babies who are at high risk of disease will lessen the burden on screening team.