Incidence of retinopathy of prematurity in premature infants and its related factors

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)  causes vision impairment and complete blindness in premature infants in some cases. The present study aimed to assess ROP frequency and its related factors in premature infants in Imam Khomeini Hospital of Saghez.

This descriptive, cross-sectional study was performed on 159 hospitalized neonates of Imam Khomeini Hospital of Saghez with gestational age≤35 weeks and birth weight≤2400 grams receiving oxygen therapy. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, medical files of patients and the information in the IMAN system of the ministry of health. .

The present study was performed on 55 female and 104 male neonates with mean birth weight (2266±67 gr) and gestational age (33.38±4.15 weeks). In total, five infants (3.1%) had ROP. According to the independent t-test results, the birth weight (2000±141 gr) and gestational age (31.2±1.3 weeks) were significantly lower in the ROP infants, compared to healthy neonates (2274±685 gr) and (33.45±4.2 weeks) (P=0.007; P=0.034). 

According to the results of the study, 3.1% of the hospitalized neonate of Imam Khomeini Hospital of Saghez had ROP. Given the fact that ROP can be prevented and treated, it is suggested that protocols be defined to properly treat premature neonates and prevent ROP complications in infants promptly.