Risk of Retinopathy of Prematurity Among Preterm with Neonatal Sepsis in a Tertiary Care Hospital a Prospective Study

Objective: To determine the risk of retinopathy prematurity (ROP) among preterm with and without sepsis admitted in a neonatal intensive care unit tertiary hospital Karachi, Pakistan. Methodology: In this prospective cross-sectional study conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital from October 2021 to March 2022. All born gestation <32 weeks birth weight <1.5kg were <28 days old either gender was included. Examination for ROP performed. Information about maternal confirmed sepsis, factors predisposing status noted. Babies followed outpatient clinics. The first examination performed 28th subsequently one or two week’s interval as per Ophthalmologist. Results: Of 125 neonates, mean age 4.34 ±0.79 weeks. There 72 (57.6%) males 53 (42.4%) females. Stage 0 1 most common stages reported 49 (39.2%) 55 (44%) neonates respectively. Zone disease observed 15 (12.0%) whereas plus 7 (5.6%) neonates. Neonates stage <2 had significant association (p-value 0.026), 0.047), culture proven 0.010). Similarly, zone presence 0.033), 0.045), antibiotics taken >48 hours 0.027). Conclusion: A considerably higher hospitalized sepsis. Keywords: Neonates, prematurity, Preterm