title: Vitamin E and retrolental fibroplasia: prevention of serious ocular sequelae.
abstract: In an attempt to determine the role of vitamin E in retrolental fibroplasia (RLF) we report our experience with 191 infants of less than 1500 g birth weight. Of these infants, 16.75% had evidence of acute RLF in hospital, 8.4% had cicatricial RLF at follow-up, and four infants (2.1%) were blind, none of whom had received supplementary vitamin E. The incidence of cicatricial RLF at follow-up was significantly lower in infants who received vitamin E early after birth (12 h) than in those who did not (3 of 105 versus 13 of 86, X2 = 9.26, P = 0.002), as was the incidence of Grade III or greater cicatrix (0 of 105 versus 7 of 86, X2 with Yates = 6.72, P = 0.01). Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis revealed three factors distinguishing infants who developed cicatricial RLF from those who did not: the lack of early vitamin E supplements (P = 0.0023), the significantly larger number of arterial PO2 values over 100 mmHg (P = 0.0056), and the presence of an intraventricular haemorrhage (P = 0.0032). The incidence and severity of necrotizing enterocolitis was similar in infants who received vitamin E and in those who did not. It is recommended that vitamin E be given within the first 12 hours of birth to all infants of less than 1500 g who require supplementary oxygen.
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D001766:Blindness / Q000517:prevention & control; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012178:Retinopathy of Prematurity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014810:Vitamin E