A Study on Retinopathy of Prematurity and Gestational Age in Preterm Infants

Introduction: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) manifests with abnormal blood vessel growth in premature infants, affecting up to 80% of those weighing under 1000 grams. Historical ROP epidemics underscore the need for meticulous oxygen monitoring. Developing countries face a current ROP epidemic due to rising preterm births and limited healthcare resources. Vision 2020 targets ROP to mitigate childhood blindness, emphasizing the study’s focus on ROP incidence and its correlation with gestational age (GA). Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional observational study utilized indirect ophthalmoscopy with a 20D lens for ROP screening. A wire speculum and scleral indenter maintained eye position, with aseptic measures followed. Examination included posterior pole assessment for plus disease, peripheral screening with enhanced temporal visualization. Neonatal complications were managed, ROP classified per ICROP, and risk factors documented. Results: In the study of 60 preterm infants, 40% developed ROP, predominantly stage 2 (14 cases), followed by stage 1 (8) and stage 3 (2). Gender distribution showed no statistical significance (P = 0.672). ROP babies had a mean GA of 30.71±2.34 weeks by dates and 30.67±2.30 weeks by Ballard score (P<0.001). Birth weight decreased with higher ROP stages (P = 0.001). Oxygen therapy type significantly influenced ROP risk (p < 0.001), with 66.7% using hood oxygen, 16.7% C-PAP, and 16.7% ventilation. Conclusion: Lower birth weight and type of oxygen therapy significantly influence ROP severity. Meticulous monitoring and management of these factors are crucial to reducing ROP risk in preterm infants, highlighting the need for targeted screening and intervention strategies. ; Introduction: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) manifests with abnormal blood vessel growth in premature infants, affecting up to 80% of those weighing under 1000 grams. Historical ROP epidemics underscore the need for meticulous oxygen monitoring. Developing countries face a current ROP epidemic due to ...