title: Retinopathy of prematurity and associated factors in Lagos, Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Screening and early treatment of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is important to reduce visual impairment in at risk infants.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the frequency and risk factors associated with ROP in preterm infants in Lagos University Teaching Hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective cohort study of preterm infants with gestational age (GA) less than 32 weeks and birthweight 1500 g or less conducted from November 2011 to May 2014. The infants' eyes were examined using an indirect ophthalmoscope at 4-6 weeks of life or at 34 weeks post-conceptual age. Examinations were repeated weekly until regression or progression to a high risk pre-threshold disease. Staging was according to the revised International Classification for ROP and treatment criteria were as defined by the Early Treatment for ROP study. The GA, birth weight (BW), use of oxygen, presence of respiratory distress syndrome and other risk factors were recorded and tested for significance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve (15%) of the 80 infants examined had any ROP and six (7.5%) had treatable ROP. The mean (SD) GA and BW for infants with ROP were both lower than for those without ROP; 28.2 (1.7) weeks vs 29.1 (1.6) weeks and 1124 (212) g vs 1251 (274) g for GA and BW, respectively. Risk factors such as supplemental oxygen, sepsis, respiratory distress and anaemia were not significantly associated with ROP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The frequency of ROP and treatable ROP was high; it is therefore recommended that routine care of preterm infants should include screening for ROP and that affordable treatment facilities should be provided in public hospitals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Lagos , Nigeria.
authors.forename: I B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Fajolu
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rotimi-Samuel
authors.forename: O T
authors.initials: OT
authors.lastname: Aribaba
authors.forename: K O
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Musa
authors.forename: F B
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Akinsola
authors.forename: V C
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Ezeaka
authors.forename: A O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Onakoya
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012178:Retinopathy of Prematurity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Frequency; Lagos; Neonatal unit; Nigeria; Retinopathy of prematurity; Risk factors; Treatment