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Vitamin E and retinopathy of prematurity. Follow-up at one year
Insights
High-dose prophylactic vitamin E did not significantly reduce the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) or retrolental fibroplasia (RLF) in premature infants. Eye examination results were similar between vitamin E and placebo groups.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Ophthalmology
- Nutritional science
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a significant cause of visual impairment in premature infants.
- High serum levels of vitamin E have been investigated for their potential to prevent or mitigate ROP and its sequela, retrolental fibroplasia (RLF).
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prophylactic effect of high serum levels of vitamin E on the incidence and severity of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and retrolental fibroplasia (RLF) in very low birth weight infants.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, prospective study involving 545 infants weighing less than 1501 g at birth.
- Infants were assigned to receive either vitamin E or a placebo.
- One- to two-year eye examinations were conducted on 328 infants to assess ROP/RLF and other visual outcomes.
Main Results:
- The incidence of RLF was 6.8% in the placebo group and 7.2% in the vitamin E group (P = 0.072), showing a non-significant trend toward less severe RLF with vitamin E.
- Incidences of hyperopia, myopia, anisometropia, strabismus, and amblyopia were similar in both treatment groups.
Conclusions:
- Prophylactic high-dose vitamin E did not significantly alter the natural course or reduce the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity or retrolental fibroplasia in this cohort.
- Further research may be needed to explore optimal vitamin E supplementation strategies or alternative interventions for ROP prevention.
Abstract:
Five hundred forty-five infants weighing less than 1501 g at birth were entered into a randomized, prospective study to determine the effect of high serum levels (5 mg/dL) of vitamin E used prophylactically to try to prevent or alter the natural course of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and its sequel, retrolental fibroplasia (RLF). Three hundred twenty-eight infants were available for the one- to two-year eye examination. Although there was a trend (P = 0.072) toward less severe RLF among vitamin E-treated infants, the incidence of RLF was 11/162 (6.8%) in the placebo treated (P) infants, and 12/166 (7.2%) in the vitamin E-treated (E) infants. The incidences of hyperopia, myopia, anisometropia, strabismus and amblyopia were also similar in both the P and E groups.