1 research outputs found
Retinopathy of Prematurity among 1000-2000 gram Birth Weight Newborn Infants
Objective: The goal of this study was to identify the risk factors of
retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in neonatal intensive care unitin
preterm infants born with birth weight 1000-2000g or at gestational age
less than 34 weeks. Material & Methods: From August 2000 to
December 2001, 50 preterm newborn infants with birth weights less than
2000 g or gestational age less than 34 weeks admitted to the NICU were
studied. Newborn infants with birth weight between 1200-2000g who
received more than 6 hours oxygen and newborn infants with birth weight
1000-1200 g regardless of oxygen therapy, who survived until 4 weeks
postnatal, were enrolled and followed. Patients underwent indirect
ophthalmologic examination by two ophthalmologists between 4-8 weeks
post partum. The newborn infants who had ROP were assigned to case
group and those without ROP to control group, both groups were
reexamined every 2-4 weeks or according to international classification
of retinopathy of prematurity (ICROP) advice. Findings: Fifty newborn
infants, 36 (72%) in control group, 14 (28%) in case group, were
studied. Gestational age and birth weight of the patients with ROP were
significantly lower than those of control group. Duration of oxygen
therapy, hyperoxia, acidosis, hypercarbia, hypocarbia and phototherapy
are suggested as risk factors contributing to ROP. Conclusion: The
results of this study demonstrate that the ROP frequency remains
elevated among premature and very low birth weight infants. Infants at
risk for ROP should have screening eye examinations and proper
treatment