Retinopathy of prematurity, a two-year experience at the ROP screening unit from AL-Zahraa Teaching Hospital, AL-Najaf, Iraq

This study aimed to assess the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in Al Najaf city, define the risk factors of ROP, and assess the performance of the newly implemented ROP screening. This retrospective study was performed in the ROP screening clinic in Al Najaf city between January 2018 and December 2019. 247 neonates were examined at the ROP screening clinic, with gestational age ≤30 weeks, weight ≤1500 g, other fetal and maternal risk factors, and older or heavier newborns with a complicated course. Out of all the neonates, 90 were enrolled in this study because all others lost contact with the ROP clinic. 62 out of 90 enrolled neonates (69%) were diagnosed with ROP. Of them, 82% had stage 1–2 ROP, and 18% had stage 3–4. We found that the higher gestational age was protective for ROP (P-value=0.012, OR=0.434, CI=0.227–0.829). CPAP carried a higher risk of ROP (P-value=0.072, OR=7.276, CI=0.834–63.441). The P-value was significant for maternal age and premature rupture of membranes (PROM) (P-value=0.028 and 0.01, respectively). This study showed the incidence of ROP in the accepted range compared to other countries with similar resources. Furthermore, there was a strong association between ROP and the following factors: decreased gestational age, CPAP, maternal age, and PROM.