A Prospective Analytical Observational Study on the Correlation of Weekly Postnatal Weight Gain with the Development of Retinopathy of Prematurity in Premature Babies.

Dr Bighneswar Senapati; Dr. Mohammed Abdul Wasiq; Dr Soumya Ranjan Samal

doi:10.51168/sjhrafrica.v7i2.2716

Authors

Dr Bighneswar Senapati Asst Professor, Dept of Pediatrics, IMS & SUM Hospital, Campus 2, Phulnakhara, BBSR
Dr. Mohammed Abdul Wasiq Assistant Professor, Dept. Of Pediatrics, IMS & SUM Hospital, Bhubaneswar
Dr Soumya Ranjan Samal Asst Professor, Dept of Pediatrics, IMS & SUM Hospital, Campus 2, Phulnakhara, BBSR

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v7i2.2716

Keywords:

Retinopathy of Prematurity, Postnatal Weight Gain, Retinopathy of prematurity, Low Birth Weight, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Background:
Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) is a major cause of preventable childhood blindness among premature infants. Poor postnatal weight gain has emerged as an important predictor of ROP and may facilitate early identification of high-risk neonates.

Aim:
To evaluate the relationship between weekly postnatal weight gain and the development of Retinopathy of Prematurity in premature babies.

Materials and Methods:

This prospective observational study was conducted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of IMS & SUM Hospital, Bhubaneswar, from January 2019 to June 2020 among 80 preterm neonates fulfilling ROP screening criteria. Weekly postnatal weight gain was monitored, and ophthalmologic screening for ROP was performed according to standard guidelines. Associated risk factors, including oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation, anemia, blood transfusion, hypoxemia, sepsis, and delayed regain of birth weight, were analyzed using appropriate statistical methods.

Results:
The median gestational age was 30.05 weeks, and the median birth weight was 1200 g. Most infants (66.25%) had a birth weight between 1001 and 1500 g. ROP was significantly associated with supplemental oxygen therapy, hypoxemia, mechanical ventilation, anemia, blood transfusion, late-onset sepsis, Candida sepsis, and delayed regain of birth weight. Infants with poor weekly postnatal weight gain had a significantly higher incidence of ROP than those with adequate weight gain.

Conclusion:
Weekly postnatal weight gain is a simple, cost-effective, and reliable predictor for the early identification of Retinopathy of Prematurity in premature infants. Regular monitoring of postnatal weight gain can facilitate timely recognition of neonates at increased risk.

Recommendation:
Routine weekly postnatal weight gain monitoring should be incorporated into neonatal care and ROP screening protocols, particularly in resource-limited settings, to improve risk stratification, enable earlier referral for ophthalmologic evaluation, and reduce the burden of preventable childhood blindness.

Author Biographies

Dr Bighneswar Senapati, Asst Professor, Dept of Pediatrics, IMS & SUM Hospital, Campus 2, Phulnakhara, BBSR

Asst Professor, Dept of Pediatrics, IMS & SUM Hospital, Campus 2, Phulnakhara, BBSR

Dr. Mohammed Abdul Wasiq, Assistant Professor, Dept. Of Pediatrics, IMS & SUM Hospital, Bhubaneswar

Asst Professor, Dept of Pediatrics, IMS & SUM Hospital, Campus 2, Phulnakhara, BBSR

Dr Soumya Ranjan Samal, Asst Professor, Dept of Pediatrics, IMS & SUM Hospital, Campus 2, Phulnakhara, BBSR

Asst Professor, Dept of Pediatrics, IMS & SUM Hospital, Campus 2, Phulnakhara, BBSR

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