The Third Epidemic of Blindness: Early ROP Screening vs. KIDROP Conventional Screening of Retinopathy of Prematurity in Neonates- A Prospective Cohort Study

Aim: To assess the benefits of initiating early Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) screening compared to conventional KIDROP screening and study the incidence, severity, and risk factors of ROP. Methods: : Preterm neonates born with weight < 2000 g and/or < 36 weeks of gestation admitted to the Level III-A neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), BLDE (Deemed to be University), Shri B. M. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, were enrolled in the study. The in-house retina specialist performed Early ROP screening at 10-14 days of life, depending on the gestational age at birth. Subsequently, KIDROP conventional screening was done at 3 to 6 weeks of life by the Karnataka Internet Assisted Diagnosis for Retinopathy of Prematurity (KIDROP) team once weekly. ROP findings were recorded as per the standard ICROP norms. The data was analyzed for gestational age, birth weight, and systemic factors predisposing to ROP. Results: The incidence of Early ROP was 14% (7/50). Of the neonates diagnosed with ROP, 43% had a gestational age of < 30 weeks, and 86% had birth weight in the group 1000- 1500 g. The incidence of type 1 ROP is 28.5% (2/7). The significant predictors of the increased risk of ROP were birth weight, gestational age, prolonged oxygen therapy, synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV), sepsis, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), and nutrition, including MOM & Parenteral Nutrition. Conclusion: Early enrolment of neonates for ROP screening in the NICU itself ensures early diagnosis and timely intervention and also ensures compliance and routine follow-up of these neonates. 14% had early ROP, which suggests the need to redefine the ROP screening criteria.