Primary prevention of ROP and the oxygen saturation targeting trials

Abstract

Reducing the burden of visual morbidity from retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) begins with primary prevention, and improvements in neonatal care with a positive impact on ROP are possible in all settings. Strategies range from rigorous adoption of inexpensive evidence-based protocols, for example on temperature control, prevention of sepsis and support for breast-milk feeding, through to comprehensive quality improvement programmes, and fostering team work and camaraderie. Oxygen monitoring is essential for very preterm infants receiving supplementary oxygen. The Neonatal Oxygenation Prospective Meta-analysis (NeOProM) collaboration has reported analysis of five trials of oxygen saturation (SpO₂) targeting in very preterm infants and shown that a SpO₂ target of 85-89% compared to 91-95% was associated with increased mortality (on average 28 extra deaths for every 1000 infants treated). Adopting a SpO₂ target higher than 85-89% might increase the risk of ROP for some infants, highlighting the importance of pursuing all other means of prevention.

Keywords: Middle-income countries; Oxygen saturation targeting; Prevention of morbidity; Randomised controlled trials; Retinopathy of prematurity; Very preterm infants.