Risk Factors and Their Clinical Significance in Case of Retinopathy of Prematurity

Abstract

Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is apossibly blinding disease that affects the retina ofpremature infants, and identifying the potential risk factorsfor this is of utmost importance. The present study aimed toidentify the risk factors of ROP. Methods and materials: Aprospective cross-sectional study carried out in theDepartment of Neonatology, Bangladesh Shishu Hospital& Institute from January 2017 to December 2018. A totalof 50 neonates with proper documentation following theinclusion and exclusion criteria were confirmed as thestudy population. Results: The mean gestational age was29±1.17 weeks in ROP positive cases and 31.79±0.51weeks in ROP negative cases. The mean weight was1121.9±94.34 grams in ROP positive cases and1302.7±139.72 grams in ROP negative cases. It wasobserved that majority 92.3% of the ROP positive cases had weight gain ≤10gm/kg/day for 4weeks but 87.5% of the ROP negative cases had weight gain >10gm/kg/day. Associated riskfactors for poor weight gain and ROP. Prematurity, very low birth weight, prolongparenteral nutrition for at least 6 days, septicemia and mechanical ventilation for more than5 days were significantly associated (p<0.05) with poor weight gain and low serum levels ofinsulin like growth factor-1. Conclusion: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a severe eyedisease that can affect premature neonates. The threat factors for ROP in this study include low gestational age, low birth weight, oxygen inhalation, prolong parenteral nutrition atleast 6 days, perinatal asphyxia and sepsis.