Bovine surfactant therapy and retinopathy of prematurity

We reviewed the results of three randomized clinical trials of prophylactic bovine surfactant therapy on babies under 30 weeks gestational age to assess the effects of this treatment on the frequency and severity of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Of the 119 babies who received surfactant treatment, 54 (45.4%) had ROP compared to 33 (47.1%) of the 70 babies in the control group. Stage 2 ROP or greater was noted in 10 (8.4%) babies in the treatment group and in 10 (14.3%) of the untreated group. Prophylactic bovine surfactant replacement therapy does not have a significant effect on the frequency of ROP in preterm babies. The severity of ROP also appears to be unaffected by surfactant.