"A STUDY OF INCIDENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF RETINOPATHY OF PREMATURITY IN A TERTIARY CARE MODERN GOVERNMENT MATERNITY HOSPITAL".

Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a significant cause of preventable blindness across both the developed and developing countries. Recent advancements in neonatal care have led to an increase in the survival of low birth weight infants, resulting in a rise of ROP incidence. Globally, ROP is estimated to affect more than 50,000 infants annually. In India, every year, 500 children are estimated to become blind from ROP. AIM: To study the incidence of RETINOPATHY OF PREMATURITY and its risk factors in infants admitted at SNCU of a tertiary care maternity hospital. MATERIAL & METHODS: Study Design: Prospective hospital based descriptional study. Study area: Special New-born Care Unit (SNCU) of Modern Government Maternity hospital. Study Period: Jan. 2020 - Dec. 2020. Study population: Preterm babies less than or equal to 34 weeks of gestational age, babies with weight less than or equal to 2 kgs and babies of any gestational age or weight with significant risk factors admitted in SNCU. Sample size: study consisted a total of 365 cases. Sampling method: Simple Random sampling method. Study tools and Data collection procedure: Babies admitted in SNCU with birth weight equal or less than 2 kg and preterm babies less than 34 weeks of gestational age, satisfying the inclusion criteria were enrolled into the study and admitted after getting informed consent from the parents/guardians. A detailed history and clinical examination were done for the study population and all the points were noted. The study population was evaluated further. Results: Among the study population, babies who developed ROP were exposed to oxygen for longer duration. The association between the duration of exposure to oxygen and development of retinopathy was statistically significant with P value of 0.00001. The association between ROP and gestational age at birth was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The present study reflects the incidence of ROP and its risk factors in a SNCU. The incidence of ROP in the present study was 4.93%. Among the ROP cases, birth weight ranges between 1.42± 0.25 and it was significantly associated with development of ROP. Among the study population, babies born prematurely i.e., at lowest mean gestational age at birth had developed retinopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]