Study of the effect of anemia and blood transfusion on the severity of retinopathy of prematurity

Introduction: The incidence of ROP is reported to be around 20-25% in the screened preterm babies. The relationship of anemia with ROP is difficult to study due to many factors affecting blood hemoglobin values, especially blood transfusions. Once an infant has received a blood transfusion, the anemia is temporarily resolved and hemoglobin values increase.Aim & Objective: A review of literature showed a scarcity of data on the association of anemia in the progression of ROP from the Indian subcontinent. Hence this study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of anemia on the progression and severity of ROP.Materials and Methods: After getting clearance from the institutional clearance committee this hospital based observational study was done in the Nursery of SVP PG Institute of Pediatrics & SCB Medical College, Cuttack from October 2019 to September 2021.Observation: Out of 200 patients 70 patients (35%) were anemic and 130 patients (65%) were non anemic. The mean number of blood transfusion was 0.53±0.85 ranging from 0-4. 130 patients did not receive any blood transfusion. 1-2 blood transfusions while 9 patients received 3-4 blood transfusions. In 129 patients (54.5%) the severity of ROP regressed while 71 patients (35.5%) developed severe ROP.Conclusion: EGA at birth strongly correlated with severity of ROP (p<0>