Impact of anemia on the development of retinopathy of prematurity in preterm neonates: a prospective observational study

Abstract

Objective:

To determine the effect of anemia on the development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in preterm neonates.

Study Design: 

A prospective observational study.

Place and Duration of Study:

The Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Hameed Latif Hospital Lahore, from July 2022 – February
2024.

Material and Methods:

A total of 198 neonates born between 26 to 34+6 weeks gestation were enrolled. Anemia (<10g/dl) was assessed
alongside ROP screening at 4 weeks of age. Data was analyzed with 80% confidence interval, 5% margin of error using SPSS 20 software.
Logistic regression analysis used to explore anemia and ROP association.

Results:

Out of 198 preterm infants, 37.8% (n=75) developed ROP. Among ROP neonates, mean gestational age: 31.55 ± 2.66 weeks;
mean weight: 1.32 ± 0.38 kg; anemia in 40% ROP neonates. Univariate analysis found significant risk factors: gestational age (p =
0.020), birth weight (p = 0.000), anemia (p = 0.002), duration of oxygen inhalation (p = 0.034), sepsis (p = 0.005), and blood transfusion (p =
0.042). However, logistic regression identified only birth weight (<2 kg) as significant risk factor. Severe ROP cases were more prevalent in
moderately and severely anemic babies, but no statistically significant association was found.

Conclusion:

The study highlights the relationship between anemia and ROP. While severe ROP cases were more prevalent in moderately and
severely anemic babies, our study did not find a statistically significant association between anemia and ROP incidence or severity.

Key Words:

Anemia, Gestational age, Low birth weight. Retinopathy of prematurity.