Screening for Retinopathy of Prematurity at Al-Ramadi Teaching Hospital for Maternity and Children
Shahad Tariq Meshaal
*
Ramadi Teaching Hospital for Maternity and Childhood, Ramadi City, Iraq.
Khamees M. Al-Dulaimy
Ramadi Teaching Hospital for Maternity and Childhood, Ramadi City, Iraq.
Hussein Ali Hussein
Ramadi Teaching Hospital for Maternity and Childhood, Ramadi City, Iraq.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a complex disease affecting the developing retinal vasculature in infants born prematurely. Gestational age and birth weight are the most important risk factors for the development of ROP.
Objective: To determine the prevalence of retinopathy among premature neonates and evaluate the possible risk factors associated with its occurrence.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Al-Ramadi Teaching Hospital for Maternity and Children over seven months, from 1 November 2022 to 1 June 2023. It included 110 premature live-born neonates (gestational age <37 weeks). An ophthalmologist examined all neonates to assess the presence of ROP. Subsequent eye examinations were performed at intervals determined by the findings at each examination until retinal vascularisation was complete.
Results: Of the 110 neonates, 33 (30%) were diagnosed with ROP. ROP was significantly more frequent among very preterm neonates, those delivered by caesarean section, those who required a high-flow nasal cannula for >14 days and those diagnosed with sepsis.
Conclusion: ROP is suggested more frequent among neonates with lower gestational age at birth, neonatal sepsis and delivery by caesarean section.
Keywords: Retinopathy of prematurity, premature neonates, neonatal screening, gestational age, birth weight, neonatal sepsis, caesarean section