Related Experiment Videos
ROP in three follow-up studies from Rigshospitalet during the period 1976-1987
1Department of Neonatology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Insights
Incidences of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and cerebral palsy (CP) remained constant in very preterm infants despite changes in care. This suggests blood gas levels are not primary causes and infants face reduced ROP and CP risks over time.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Pediatric neurology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and cerebral palsy (CP) are significant concerns for very preterm infants.
- Previous studies have investigated risk factors and outcomes in this vulnerable population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the incidences of ROP and CP in very low birthweight/very preterm infants over three distinct time periods.
- To assess trends and potential contributing factors to ROP and CP development.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of three cohorts of consecutively admitted very preterm infants (1976-78, 1980-82, 1984-87).
- Selection criteria were applied to enhance comparability between groups.
- Incidences of ROP and CP were calculated based on late outcome data.
Main Results:
- Despite significant changes in mechanical ventilation use and survival rates, the incidences of ROP (approx. 5%) and CP (approx. 10%) remained constant across the study periods.
- Analysis did not identify deviating blood gas tensions (oxygen and carbon dioxide) as primary inducers of ROP or CP.
- Findings suggest a reduced exposure risk for ROP and CP in very preterm infants over time, considering infant size and maturity.
Conclusions:
- The constant incidences of ROP and CP, despite evolving neonatal care practices, suggest multifactorial etiologies.
- Blood gas monitoring may not be a primary indicator for ROP and CP development.
- Very preterm infants appear to have a decreasing risk of developing ROP and CP over the years.
Abstract:
Three studies of late outcome in groups of consecutively admitted very low birthweight or very pre-term infants have recently been reported from Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen. The periods were 1976-78, 1980-82, and 1984-87. The incidences of blindness due to retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and of motor deficit due to cerebral palsy (CP) are analysed in this report. For the present purpose selection within the three groups made them more, although not entirely, comparable. In spite of marked changes in the use of mechanical ventilation, and in survival rate, the incidences of ROP as well as CP remained constant, at about 5% and 10% of the survivors, respectively. The actual numbers are too small for clearcut conclusions but the analysis supports two previously formed notions: 1) According to monitoring of blood gases deviating oxygen and carbon dioxide tensions do not appear as prime factors in inducing neither ROP nor CP, and 2) a very preterm infant of given size and maturity has become less exposed to ROP and CP over the years.