Supplemental Therapeutic Oxygen for Prethreshold Retinopathy of Prematurity

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is an abnormal growth of the blood vessels in the eye that occurs primarily in very premature infants. Eye development occurs normally in the womb; in infants born prematurely, however, the blood vessels must finish developing outside the protective environment of the uterus. Retinopathy of prematurity (also known as retrolental fibroplasia) is a leading cause of blindness and other vision impairments (myopia, strabismus, and amblyopia) in children, both in developed and developing countries.

This study was a randomized trial comparing the effects of 2 oxygenation strategies on the progression of ROP. Infants with prethreshold ROP in at least one eye were eligible for the study. Enrolled infants were randomized to receive either conventional oxygenation at a pulse oximetry target of 89% to 94%, or supplemental oxygen to achieve a pulse oximetry target range of 96% to 99%. Infant were placed on continuous pulse oximetry monitoring and to maintain oxygen saturation, as much as possible, in the assigned target range.

Inclusion criteria

• Infants with prethreshold retinopathy of prematurity, confirmed by 2 certified ophthalmologic exams
• Median pulse oxygen saturation <94% in room air
• Median pulse oxygen saturation can be kept safely >96% on oxygen/ventilator

Exclusion criteria

• No fatal congenital anomaly or congenital eye anomaly