Subject(s)
Diseases in Twins , Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis/congenital , Animals , Chorioretinitis/microbiology , Diseases in Twins/diagnosis , Diseases in Twins/etiology , Female , Humans , Hydrocephalus/microbiology , Infant , Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis/diagnosis , Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis/etiology , Microcephaly/microbiology , Rodentia , Zoonoses/microbiologySubject(s)
Retinopathy of Prematurity/drug therapy , Vitamin E/therapeutic use , Administration, Oral , Clinical Trials as Topic , Humans , Infant , Infant, Low Birth Weight , Infant, Newborn , Injections, Intramuscular , Random Allocation , Regression Analysis , Retinopathy of Prematurity/prevention & controlABSTRACT
In an attempt to determine the role of vitamin E in retrolental fibroplasia (RLF) we report our experience with 191 infants of less than 1500 g birth weight. Of these infants, 16.75% had evidence of acute RLF in hospital, 8.4% had cicatricial RLF at follow-up, and four infants (2.1%) were blind, none of whom had received supplementary vitamin E. The incidence of cicatricial RLF at follow-up was significantly lower in infants who received vitamin E early after birth (12 h) than in those who did not (3 of 105 versus 13 of 86, X2 = 9.26, P = 0.002), as was the incidence of Grade III or greater cicatrix (0 of 105 versus 7 of 86, X2 with Yates = 6.72, P = 0.01). Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis revealed three factors distinguishing infants who developed cicatricial RLF from those who did not: the lack of early vitamin E supplements (P = 0.0023), the significantly larger number of arterial PO2 values over 100 mmHg (P = 0.0056), and the presence of an intraventricular haemorrhage (P = 0.0032). The incidence and severity of necrotizing enterocolitis was similar in infants who received vitamin E and in those who did not. It is recommended that vitamin E be given within the first 12 hours of birth to all infants of less than 1500 g who require supplementary oxygen.
Subject(s)
Retinopathy of Prematurity/prevention & control , Vitamin E/therapeutic use , Administration, Oral , Blindness/prevention & control , Clinical Trials as Topic , Humans , Infant, Low Birth Weight , Infant, Newborn , Injections, Intramuscular , Oxygen Inhalation Therapy/adverse effects , Vitamin E/administration & dosage , Vitamin E/bloodABSTRACT
126 appropriate-for-gestational age neonates born in hospital with birth-weights of 750 g-1500 g were prospectively studied in a randomised trial to determine the effect of intramuscular vitamin E on the frequency and severity of retrolental fibroplasia (RLF). In the 99 who lived for more than one month the frequency of active RLF in the vitamin E and control groups in the nursery (18.8% vs 23.5%) and at discharge (8.3% vs 19.6% was not significantly different. Vitamin E had significantly reduced the severity of RLF at follow-up eye examination 6-33 months after discharge (p less than 0.01). 3 control infants (760 g, 780 g, 1020 g) were blind in both eyes (grade V cicatricial RLF), whereas the most severe grade of disease in the vitamin E infants was grade II cicatrix. Infants in whom RLF developed were gestationally younger (p = 0.005), required a longer period of mechanical ventilation (p = 0.035), had a greater exposure to oxygen (p = 0.03), and had a greater number of arterial PO2 values between 75 and 99 mm Hg (p = 0.004). Early administration of vitamin E, while not affecting the frequency of RLF, will significantly reduce its severity and subsequent eye damage, and such treatment is recommended for all low-birth-weight infants of less than 1250 g who require supplementary oxygen.
Subject(s)
Retinopathy of Prematurity/drug therapy , Vitamin E/administration & dosage , Acute Disease , Birth Weight , Blindness/prevention & control , Clinical Trials as Topic , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Injections, Intramuscular , Male , Random Allocation , Vitamin E/bloodABSTRACT
Seven cases of hemangioma of the optic disc are presented. A survey of the literature is summarized and the differential diagnosis and appropriate management discussed.
