Retinopathy of prematurity: analysis of a damage reduction attempt

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of an oxygen saturation reduction protocol used to supplement preterm newborns (PTNB) hospitalized in a neonatal ICU to prevent the onset of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Methods: This is a cohort study performed in a single Neonatal ICU. The first group (pre-protocol, n = 30) used oxygen with hemoglobin saturation > 95%. Since the institution of a new oxygen therapy protocol that maintained hemoglobin saturation between 90% and 95%, the second group was obtained (post-protocol n = 28). All included preterm infants had a gestational age of less than or equal to 32 weeks and / or birth weight of 1500 g or less, retinal mappings from 28 days of life and follow up for up to 45 weeks of corrected gestational age. Results: 58 cases were studied, excluding those who died (15/58; 26.8%), ROP was diagnosed in 15/43 patients (34.9%). The lower gestational age significantly influenced the appearance of ROP (p = 0.002). Regarding the number of ROP cases and deaths, no statistically significant difference was observed between groups. Oxygen therapy time was significantly associated with the presence of ROP in both groups. Boys were six times more affected by ROP than girls. Conclusion: Reduction of oxygen saturation was not effective in reducing the number of cases of ROP.