Don't only think of survival of new-borns, but also their sight (November 17 is World Prematurity Day)
The World
Health Organisation (WHO) celebrates World
Prematurity Day every year on November 17, to put the spotlight on
premature babies.
Retinopathy
of Prematurity (ROP) is a dynamic, time-bound
disease that is not present at birth. The condition afflicts the eyes of
pre-term babies that have typically received intensive neonatal care (with or
without oxygen therapy) that helps to save their life, but severely affects
their eye development.
The condition is characterised by the
development of abnormal blood vessels in the retina of the eye, resulting in
scarring and retinal detachment. ROP can be mild and may resolve spontaneously,
but in serious cases, may progress rapidly and lead to blindness.
ROP typically starts only two-three weeks
after birth, providing a window for screening and activating treatment at the
right time, while the baby is still under neonatal care at the hospital. Read
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