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Retinopathy of prematurity — Risk factors

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Abstract

Objective: Improved survival of low birth weight, premature babies have increased the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity. This hospital-based, prospective, study was undertaken to determine its incidence and risk factors in our neonatal unit.Methods: Neonates with gestational age ≤ 35 weeks and/or birth weight ≤ 1500 gm born over a one-year period were examined by indirect ophthalmoscopy between 2 to 4 weeks after birth, and followed up till retinal vascularisation was complete. Maternal and neonatal risk factors were noted and data analyzed by statistical package SPSS-10.0.Results: Sixty babies were thus examined. The incidence of retinopathy was 21.7% in the cohort, 33.3% in babies ≤32 weeks gestation and 36.4% in babies weighing ≤1250 gm. Oxygen (p=0.01), sepsis (p=0.04) and apnoea (p=0.02) were independent risk factors. Retinopathy was significantly more severe in babies with hyaline membrane disease (p=0.02) and lower birth weight (p=0.02). Severe disease was never seen before 6.5 weeks of age.Conclusion: Indirect ophthalmoscopy should be performed at 4 weeks of post natal age in all preterm babies with birth weight ≤ 1500 gm, and intensified in the presence of risk factors like oxygen administration, apnoea and septicemia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, University College of Medical Sciences and GTB Hospital, Delhi, India

    Piyush Gupta

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, University College of Medical Sciences and GTB Hospital, Delhi, India

    Ved P. Gupta, Upreet Dhaliwal, Rohit Sharma, Piyush Gupta & Jolly Rohatgi

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  1. Ved P. Gupta
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  2. Upreet Dhaliwal
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  3. Rohit Sharma
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Correspondence to Upreet Dhaliwal.

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Gupta, V.P., Dhaliwal, U., Sharma, R. et al. Retinopathy of prematurity — Risk factors. Indian J Pediatr 71, 887–892 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02830827

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