Abstract
Retrolental fibroplasia (RLF) remains a significant problem in premature low-birth-weight infants. Since 1976, all infants in our intensive care nursery < 1500 gm have had routine eye examinations from the time they were stable enough to be examined until at least 1 month following discharge. Since 1978, all infants <1500 gm who required supplemental oxygen or ventilation had frequent transcutaneous oxygen monitoring along with intermittent PaO2 measurements. The incidence of RLF in infants <1500 gm was 7% from 1976-1978 and 10% from 1978-present but mean birthweight in the later group was significantly lower (1087 gm vs 1166 gm p<.001). Since 1978, 16/160 infants <1500 gm developed RLF: 7 had bilateral Stage I, 5 progressed to bilateral Stage II, 3 had bilateral Stage II-III and 1 had bilateral Stage V with complete blindness. Infants with RLF did not differ significantly in sex distribution, incidence of hyaline membrane disease, patent ductus arteriosus or treatment with betamethasone from infants without RLF. The incidence of chronic lung disease, which was divided equally between bronchopulmonary dysplasia and chronic pulmonary insufficiency of the premature, was significantly higher in infants with RLF (87% vs 26%, p <.001) and birthweight was significantly lower (1017 gm vs 1096 gm, p<.001). Transcutaneous oxygen monitoring has not prevented RLF in low-birth-weight infants requiring long term oxygen supplementation.
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Riedel, P., Bert, M., Clyman, R. et al. 1404 FACTORS INFLUENCING INCIDENCE OF RETROLENTAL FIBROPLASIA. Pediatr Res 15 (Suppl 4), 677 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-01433
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-01433