Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening in India should be initiated at what corrected gestational age and for which infants?
- A All premature infants at 4 weeks of birth regardless of gestational age
- B Infants born at ≤ 37 weeks gestation at 2 weeks of life
- C Infants born at ≤ 34 weeks gestation or birth weight ≤ 1500 g; screening starts at 4 weeks of chronological age or 31–32 weeks postmenstrual age (whichever is later) ✓
- D Only infants on supplemental oxygen with birth weight ≤ 1000 g at 6 weeks
Correct answer: C. Infants born at ≤ 34 weeks gestation or birth weight ≤ 1500 g; screening starts at 4 weeks of chronological age or 31–32 weeks postmenstrual age (whichever is later)
Explanation
Indian guidelines recommend ROP screening for infants born at ≤ 34 weeks gestational age or birth weight ≤ 1500 g (some centers screen up to 2000 g). The first examination should be at 4 weeks of chronological age or at 31–32 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA), whichever is later, to reduce the risk of missing threshold disease. This differs from the US AAP guidelines (< 30 weeks or < 1500 g) due to the higher incidence in slightly larger/older Indian preterm infants because of variable oxygen therapy monitoring.
Reference: Khurana Comprehensive Ophthalmology, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.