Lipid supplement reduced ROP in premature infants

Abstract

Hellström A, Nilsson AK, Wackernagel D, Pivodic A, Vanpee M, Sjöbom U, et al. Effect of Enteral Lipid Supplement on Severe Retinopathy of Prematurity: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Pediatr 2021:e205653. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2020.5653 Among premature infants, what is the therapeutic benefit of supplemental arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), compared with no supplementation, in reducing the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)? Randomized control trial. 3 centers in Sweden. Infants born <28 weeks' gestational age. AA:DHA vs none. Primary outcome: incidence of severe ROP (stage 3 and/or type 1 ROP). The treatment group demonstrated less ROP, 16 of 101 (15.8%) in the AA:DHA group vs 35 of 105 (33.3%) in the non-treatment group, absolute risk reduction 17.5% (6.0%-29.0%), number needed to treat 5.7 (3.5-16.6). There were no differences between the groups in bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage, sepsis, or death rates. AA:DHA reduced ROP development without increasing major morbidities.