Prevalence, risk factors and pattern of severe retinopathy of prematurity in eastern Madhya Pradesh

PURPOSE: To describe the prevalence, characteristics including risk factors, and pattern of severe ROP from eastern Madhya Pradesh region of India. METHODS: In this 5-year retrospective study, Baseline characteristics, systemic risk factors, and findings of ROP screening were noted. Factors associated with severe ROP including aggressive posterior ROP (APROP), stage IV and V ROP were analyzed. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 20. RESULTS: Of 763 babies screened, 30% were diagnosed to have ROP. Prevalence of severe ROP was 14.2% (109) of which 60 (55.5%) were classic and 30 (27.7%) were APROP. Eighteen (16.6%) were diagnosed as advanced ROP (stage IV and V). Mean gestational age (GA) and birth weight (BW) for severe ROP were 31.05 weeks and 1.34 kg, respectively which were inversely associated with severe ROP. But a significant 10% of severe ROP were seen in late preterm babies, >34 weeks. Low GA and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) were significant risk factors for APROP. Most important factor for stage IV and V ROP was late presentation for screening. CONCLUSION: The study found a high prevalence of severe ROP including APROP. Almost 7% severe ROP cases were outside screening guidelines of NNF. Late presentation for screening is the most important factor associated with ROP related blindness.