Journal of Tropical Pediatrics Advance Access originally published online on May 25, 2008
Journal of Tropical Pediatrics 2008 54(5):333-339; doi:10.1093/tropej/fmn035
Retinopathy of Prematurity in Bangladeshi Neonates
aDepartment of Neonatology, Dhaka Shishu (Children's) Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
bDepartment of Pediatrics, Kumudini Women's Medical College, Mirzapur, Tangail, Bangladesh
cChild Development Centre, Child Development and Neurology Unit, Dhaka Shishu (Children's) Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
dDepartment of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Bangladesh Eye Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
eDepartment of Microbiology, Dhaka Shishu (Children's) Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
fInternational Center for Advancing Neonatal Health, Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Correspondence: Gary L. Darmstadt, International Center for Advancing Neonatal Health, Department of International Health E-8153, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. Tel.: 443-287-3003; Fax: 410-614-1419. E-mail <gdarmsta{at}jhsph.edu>.
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Abstract |
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Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a potentially blinding eye disorder that primarily affects premature infants. Increased survival of extremely low birth weight infants following advances in antenatal and neonatal care has resulted in a population of infants at high risk of developing ROP. Long term morbidity of ROP has a spectrum ranging from myopia to blindness. Screening programs and early intervention can provide enormous economic and social benefits.
Materials and Methods: Preterm infants of gestational age <33 weeks admitted to the Special Care Nursery of Dhaka Shishu Hospital for a trial of topical emollient therapy during December 1998–July 2003 were followed-up after hospital discharge, including detailed ophthalmologic examination. Detailed history regarding risks during pregnancy, delivery and hospital stay was documented. ROP cases were managed according to the stage of the disease at diagnosis.
Results: Five out of the 114 (4.4%) children seen in follow-up were diagnosed with ROP. Low gestational age, low birth weight, administration of oxygen, apneic spells, sepsis and blood transfusions were common factors among cases who developed ROP.
Conclusion: As survival of preterm infants in low resource settings increases, ROP will become increasingly important as a potential cause of blindness, emphasizing the critical need for ophthalmologic examination in premature infants, with immediate initiation of treatment when ROP is diagnosed.
Key Words: neonatal • prematurity • retinopathy of prematurity