Evidence-based review of retinopathy of prematurity prevention in VLBW and ELBW infants.
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) continues to be a significant complication in preterm neonates despite advances in neonatal care. Very low birth weight and extremely low birth weight infants continue to suffer from the sequelae of premature birth, including ROP. Controversy and uncertainty surround prevention of ROP. Possible preventive strategies include the use or restriction of oxygen therapy; steroid therapy; changes in blood transfusion protocols; reduced exposure of the retina to light; and administration of nutritional factors, indomethacin, and D-penicillamine. This article reviews recent studies that have proved or disproved the effectiveness of these preventive measures. It also identifies the implications of the study results for clinical practice and makes recommendations for future research.
DiBiasie
AnnMarie
A
NICU, Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York Presbyterian, Neonatology Division, New York, NY 10023, USA. and9035@nyp.org
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000592:standards; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D052577:Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D007294:Inositol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal / Q000379:methods*; D008895:Milk, Human; D017283:Neonatal Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy / Q000592:standards; D010396:Penicillamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012160:Retina / Q000196:embryology / Q000502:physiology; D012178:Retinopathy of Prematurity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000502:physiology; D014815:Vitamins / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000975:Antioxidants; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D014815:Vitamins; D007294:Inositol; D010396:Penicillamine; D007213:Indomethacin