Abstract:
Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a vasoproliferative retinal disorder
affecting premature newborns. It is one of the leading causes of preventable childhood
blindness. In Tanzania, improvement in neonatal care has led to increased survival of
preterm babies. However, data on the incidence and risk factors for ROP are scarce.
Aim: This study was done to determine the incidence and risk factors associated with ROP
among preterm babies at Muhimbili National Hospital.
Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted among 193 preterm newborns of
gestational age (GA) ≤34 weeks and birth weight (Bwt) ≤2000g as well as those with unstable
clinical course from June 2020 to February 2021. ROP screening entailed a dilated fundus
examination using an indirect ophthalmoscope. Cumulative incidence was determined as the
proportion of babies clinically diagnosed with ROP by the end of the study period. Risk
factors associated with ROP were analyzed. P value of <0.05 was considered statistically
significant. Results
The cumulative incidence of ROP was 29% (56/193) and severe ROP incidence of 8.8%
(17/193). Majority of infants with ROP had stage two 41.1% and zone two disease
73.2%.Also, 8.93% had aggressive posterior retinopathy of prematurity. Multivariate
analysis revealed 6 factors as significant independent predictors of ROP occurrence, GA less
than 32weeks with hazard ratio (HR) 6.8 and p value 0.000), Bwt less than 1500 (2.1, 0.021),
Apgar score less than 7 (1.9, 0.029), RDS (3.3, 0.013), oxygen supplementation for more
than a week (0.74, 0.034) and Intraventricular hemorrhage (9.7, 0.001). Surfactant use had a
protective role with HR of 0.2 and p value of 0.027.
Conclusion
ROP incidence is relatively high at MNH. Screening is essential to prevent visual morbidity
and blindness that may result from the disease
