A retrospective study of the incidence, patterns, and risk factors of retinopathy of prematurity in infants with birth weight >1500 g in a South Indian tertiary care hospital.

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the incidence, patterns, and risk factors for the development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in infants weighing >1500 g at birth.

Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis was done of the ROP screening records between April 2019 and March 2022. All the infants with birth weight >1500 g who underwent ROP screening were included. Data collected included demographic details, details of the risk factors (respiratory distress syndrome [RDS], hypoxia, anemia, septicemia, patent ductus arteriosus, congenital heart disease [CHD], i.e., atrial septal defects or ventricular septal defects, and multiple gestations), and ocular examination findings. Statistical analyses included calculation of mean, range, Chi-square test, and bivariate logistic regression for associations of risk factors with ROP.

Results: ROP was noted in 16.6% of the 336 eyes of 168 infants. The mean birth weight and mean gestational age (GA) of the infants were 1850 ± 33 g and 33.33 weeks ± 1.71 weeks, respectively. Eighteen eyes (32.1%) had Stage I, 17 eyes (30.35%) had Stage II, and 11 eyes (19.64%) had Stage III ROP in Zone II. Aggressive ROP was seen in 8 eyes (14.28%) and stage 5 ROP in two eyes (0.59%). Male gender, GA, CHD, and RDS showed a statistically significant association with the development of ROP in these infants.

Conclusion: ROP was seen in 16.66% of our subjects. Treatment was required in 6.25% of infants. Risk factors for the development of ROP were low gestational age, male gender, the presence of RDS, and congenital heart disease.