Risk Factors In APROP: Case Study In Twins

Aparna Gupta

PURPOSE: To compare the risk factors for APROP in twins with asymmetrical presentation of ROP.

METHODS: It was a retrospective cross-sectional study. 11 pairs of twins with asymmetric presentation of APROP were divided into two groups. Group I had one of each pair of twins who developed APROP and Group II had the other twin of the pair having a milder form of disease. The risk factors studied were birth weight, prolonged oxygen dependence, ventilatory support, blood transfusion, RDS, anemia, sepsis & apnea,. The data was tabulated and statistically analysed. Mc Nemar's test was used to derive statistical correlation of the risk factors with APROP.

RESULT: The mean birth weight in Group I was 1163.18 ±286 gm & in Group II 1179.54 ± 242 gm. The difference was statistically not significant. 10/11 (90.90%) babies in GroupI & 8/11 (72.72%) babies in Group II had prolonged oxygen support. 3/11 (27.54%) babies in GroupI & 2/11 babies (18.18%) in GroupII had ventilatory support. 8/11 (72.72%) babies in GroupI & 3/11 (27.54%) babies in Group II had sepsis. Apnea was found in 6/11 (54.54%) of group I and 2/11 (18.18%)of Group II babies. Anemia and blood transfusion were seen in 3/11 (27.54%) babies each of both groups.

CONCLUSION: Sepsis & recurrent apneic spells were found to be the only risk factors positively correlated with APROP in twin pairs. This prompts a need to control these factors in our nurseries to bring down the rising incidence of APROP in Asian babies.