Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is an important cause of preventable blindness in children. The present study was conducted to assess role of oxygen therapy in preventing retinopathy of prematurity. Materials & Methods: 74 inborn very low-birth weight (VLBW) infants who underwent ROP screening were divided into 2 groups, group I before supplemental oxygen protocol and group II after supplemental oxygen protocol. Eye examinations were performed by trained pediatric ophthalmologists. Oxygen saturation levels of infants were measured by using Nellcor pulse oximeters. Results: There were 30 LBW infants in group I and 26 in group II. ROP stage 1 was seen in 22 and 20, stage 2 in 10 and 12, stage 3 in 3 and 2 and stage 4 in 2 and 3 in group I and II respectively. The mean supplemental oxygen at 36 weeks was seen in 35 and 32, supplemental oxygen at discharge was seen in 30 and 25, laser treatment in 15 and 8, retinal detachment in 4 and 1, plus disease was present in 13 and 6 and progression from stage 2 to 3 was seen in 8 and 4 in group I and II respectively. Conclusion: Oxygen supplementation found to be effective in preventing progression from stage 2 to stage 3 ROP in premature infants.