Abstract
A randomized, blind study to determine the effect of VA on ROP was performed in 86 neonates with BW≤1500g and GA<31 weeks. Fourty neonates were assigned to the treatment (T) and 16 to the control (C) group. Each infant in the T group received 5,000 IU VA (retinyl palmitate) intramuscularly within 12 hours after birth, followed by 3,750 IU every other day for the next 2 weeks and 5,000 IU weekly thereafter for the following 4 weeks.
Results: The VA plasma levels, on postnatal day 1, before VA administration, were comparable in the neonates in the two groups. In all subsequent determinations on days 2, 3 and 8 and weekly thereafter, for a total of 6 weeks, the mean VA plasma levels were significantly higher (p<.001) in infants in the T group compared to those in the C group. ROP occured in 21(53%) of the 40 infants in the T group and in 29 (63%) of the 46 in the C group (p=NS). However, ROP progressed to stage III Plus in only 5(13%) of the 40 infants treated with VA as compared to 14(30%) of the 46 treated with placebo (p<.05). Cryotherapy was performed in only 6 of the 80 eyes in the T group compared to 18 of the 92 eyes in the C group (p<.025).
Conclusion: Early supplementation of VA in VLBW infants may protect the developing retina and therefore limit the progression of ROP.
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Papagaroufalis, C., Spyropoulos, G., Stamocosta, E. et al. EFFECT OF VITAMIN A (VA) SUPPLEMENTATION ON RETINOPATHY OF PREMATURITY (ROP) IN VERY LOW BIRTH WEIGHT (VLBW) INFANTS. Pediatr Res 32, 617 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199211000-00076
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199211000-00076