A hospital based prospective study to determine incidence of retinopathy of prematurity among premature and low birth weight babies admitted to NICU in Rajarajeshwari Medical College and Hospital
Background: ROP is a disorder of the developing retinal blood vessels in the premature infant retina. Objective of present study is to determine the number of babies affected with ROP among the premature and low birth weight babies admitted to neonatal intensive care unit or attending neonatal follow up clinic at RRMCH Hospital during a period of one year.Methods: This is a prospective observational study conducted in Rajarajeswari Medical College and Hospital Bangalore for 12 months. All eligible babies were screened at Neonatal Intensive Care Unit where temperature is well controlled and the place to handle any emergencies. The pupils were dilated using 2.5% phenylephrine and 0.5% tropicamide eye drops instilled three times into each eye at intervals of 15 minutes about one hour before the scheduled examination.Results: 100 babies were screened and followed up. The incidence of ROP is 40%. Gestational age (<37weeks) and low birth weight (2500g) are important risk factors for ROP. Our study concluded that ROP is an important complication of prematurity.Conclusions: The present study highlights the magnitude of the problem due to ROP in a tertiary care centre. Meticulous fundus examination with indirect ophthalmoscopy in all preterm babies with gestational age <37weeks and birth weight ≤2500gms is essential non invasive method for early detection of ROP and its progression.