Frequency and Risk Factors for Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) in Neonates in NICU of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital.

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a leading cause of preventable childhood blindness in both developed and developing countries. With the advancement of neonatal health services, premature babies are now surviving more and at the same time the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity is increasing simultaneously. The aim of this study was to find out the frequency and risk factors of retinopathy of prematurity in neonates in NICU of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH), Bangladesh. This was a prospective observational study and was carried out in the Department of Neonatology, MMCH, Bangladesh with the collaboration of Dr K Zaman BNSB Eye Hospital, Mymensingh from July 2020 to June 2022. Considering all inclusion and exclusion criteria, total 171 neonates were evaluated in this study. ROP screening was performed as per Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) protocol. Among 171 study neonates, 47 developed ROP. The overall frequency of retinopathy of prematurity was 27.5%. Stage 1-4 ROP was identified across affected neonates, with most in stage 2 and zone I plus disease occurred in 21 cases and AP-ROP in 14. In this study frequency of ROP was higher in <1000gms birth weight group. Among affected infants, 31.9% required intravitreal bevacizumab, while most (61.7%) needed follow-up only. Among 47 ROP patients, 18 received treatment and 29 patients needed follow up. The overall frequency of ROP was 27.5%. All ROP patients had immediate good outcome. Early screening, timely intervention and strict monitoring of high-risk neonates can significantly reduce vision-threatening complications and long-term childhood blindness.