BACKGROUND: The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of our hospital has a 30% survival rate among babies born premature weighing <1,000g. This hospital serves about 10 million people; there was no retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening program in place in Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Babies born premature were recruited based on preset criteria: ≤ 35 weeks Gestation Age and birth weight ≤ 1.9 kg. The first retina examination was done at 3-4 weeks post-delivery and were documented on a proforma and analyzed with SPSS 15 Statistical Package. RESULTS: 58 eyes of 29 babies were examined. The birth weight range was 950-1900g, 17(58.6%) babies were ≤ 1500g, and 12 (41.4%) 1500-1900g. The Gestation age range was 27-35 weeks with a mean of 30. Avascularity in retina zones 2&3 was found in 52(89.6%) eyes mostly among babies <32 weeks gestation age and <1500g. Risk factors associated with retinal avascularity are highlighted. The challenges were with co-ordination of follow-up visits and accessibility to treatment such as laser and newer treatment methods. CONCLUSION: A cost effect screening criteria for ROP in Nigeria is suggested to include birth weight ≤ 1500g and gestational age ≤ 32 weeks. Dedicated staff & resources for treatment and imaging are needed for a successful program. An opportunity exists to study the effect of genetics on the development and severity of ROP among native African babies.
BACKGROUND: The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of our hospital has a 30% survival rate among babies born premature weighing <1,000g. This hospital serves about 10 million people; there was no retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening program in place in Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Babies born premature were recruited based on preset criteria: ≤ 35 weeks Gestation Age and birth weight ≤ 1.9 kg. The first retina examination was done at 3-4 weeks post-delivery and were documented on a proforma and analyzed with SPSS 15 Statistical Package. RESULTS: 58 eyes of 29 babies were examined. The birth weight range was 950-1900g, 17(58.6%) babies were ≤ 1500g, and 12 (41.4%) 1500-1900g. The Gestation age range was 27-35 weeks with a mean of 30. Avascularity in retina zones 2&3 was found in 52(89.6%) eyes mostly among babies <32 weeks gestation age and <1500g. Risk factors associated with retinal avascularity are highlighted. The challenges were with co-ordination of follow-up visits and accessibility to treatment such as laser and newer treatment methods. CONCLUSION: A cost effect screening criteria for ROP in Nigeria is suggested to include birth weight ≤ 1500g and gestational age ≤ 32 weeks. Dedicated staff & resources for treatment and imaging are needed for a successful program. An opportunity exists to study the effect of genetics on the development and severity of ROP among native African babies.
Authors: Dupe S Ademola-Popoola; Iretiola B Fajolu; Clare Gilbert; Bolutife A Olusanya; Oluwatoyin H Onakpoya; Chinyelu N Ezisi; Kareem O Musa; Robison Vernon Paul Chan; Valentina W Okeigbemen; Rilwan C Muhammad; Aeesha N J Malik; Adedayo O Adio; Olubunmi T Bodunde; Abdulkadir L Rafindadi; Tunji S Oluleye; Olukemi O Tongo; Sarat A Badmus; Olufunmilayo V Adebara; Tapas Ranjan Padhi; Beatrice N Ezenwa; Tokunbo S Obajolowo; Lateefat B Olokoba; Victoria A Olatunji; Yewande Olubunmi Babalola; Mary O Ugalahi; Adetunji Adenekan; Omotayo O Adesiyun; Jagdish Sahoo; Marilyn T Miller; Odarosa M Uhumwangho; Adeduntan S Olagbenro; Ebunoluwa A Adejuyigbe; Chinyere V C Ezeaka; Olugbenga Mokuolu; Tinuade A Ogunlesi; Olusoga B Ogunfowora; Isa Abdulkadir; Fatima L Abdullahi; Abosede T Fabiyi; Laila H L Hassan; Aderonke M Baiyeroju; Peace I Opara; Kehinde Oladigbolu; Augusta U Eneh; Bassey E Fiebai; Fatima A Mahmud-Ajeigbe; Elijah N Peter; Hawwa S Abdullahi Journal: BMJ Open Ophthalmol Date: 2021-08-23