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Low oxygen saturation decreases incidence of ROP, death in low-weight infants
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Controlled oxygen administration and improved neonatal care reduced the incidence of severe retinopathy of prematurity and mortality in very low birth weight infants, according to a study.
The retrospective study included 1,359 very low birth weight infants treated at one center in Italy from 1999 to 2004 (first group, 545 patients) and 2005 to 2012 (second group, 814 patients). Mean gestational age, birth weight and hospital stay were similar in both groups.
Revised oxygen saturation intervals depending on gestational age were implemented in 2004. In addition, nurses were trained to stabilize oxygen saturation and avoid hyperoxia and desaturation.
The investigators compared incidence of ROP, treatment protocols and outcomes between the groups.
Incidence of severe ROP decreased significantly, from 5.3% in the first group to 1% in the second group (P = .003), the investigators found. No cases of ROP stage 4 or 5 were reported after implementation of the new oxygen saturation policy.
The use of laser therapy for severe ROP decreased significantly, from 6.4% in the first group to 0.6% in the second group (P = .002).
Additionally, the incidence of death or bronchopulmonary dysplasia decreased significantly, from 33.8% in the first group to 24.2% in the second group (P = .02). Mortality decreased significantly, as well, from 18.8% to 10% (P = .024).
Disclosure: The authors have no relevant financial disclosures.
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