Incidence Of RLF Research Articles

PRENATAL ANTIHISTAMINE EXPOSURE AS A POTENTIAL CAUSE OF RETROLENTAL FIBROPLASIA (RLF)

The occurrence of RLF was investigated on the basis of data collected in a large clinical trial on the management of patent ductus arteriosus in the premature neonate. An unanticipated association was noted between the occurrence of RLF and maternal use of antihistamines during the last two weeks of pregnancy (but not with earlier use). The incidence of RLF (of any grade) was .22 (19/86) among the exposed and .11 (324/2940) among the non-exposed (p <0.001). This association was not confounded by birthweight or by total amount of oxygen supplementation, as reflected by either duration of ventilatory support or diagnosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. In addition, there was no confounding by episodes of exposure to high levels of oxygen concentration, as inferred from recorded episodes of apnea or bradycardia. Other medications had been used more often by mothers who had taken antihistamines than by those who had not (74% vs. 50%). None of these other medications, however, were associated with the occurrence of RLF. Indications for antihistamine use could not be examined as potential confounders, as such information had not been recorded.

1019 EXCHANGE TRANSFUSION AND RETROLENTAL FIBROPLASIA (RLF) - LACK OF CAUSE AND EFFECT

Exchange transfusion (ET) in preterm infants decreases Hb-O2 affinity and theoretically might enhance the development of RLF. We followed 62 infants ≥ 1500 gm. with repeated fundoscopic examinations by indirect ophthalmoscopy. They were divided into 2 groups: Group I consisted of 22 infants ≥ 1000 gm. of whom 14 were exchanged, and Group II consisted of 40 infants 1001-1500 gm. of whom 16 were exchanged. In Group I (mean O2 therapy 1118 hrs.), there was no difference in incidence of proliferative RLF between exchanged (79%) and non-exchanged infants (88%) (p > .9). In Group II, those infants with ≥ 120 hrs. exposure to O2 therapy (n=20) showed no significant difference in incidence of RLF between exchanged (0%) and non-exchanged infants (22%) (p > .45). In Group II, those infants with > 120 hrs. O2 therapy (n=20) showed no significant difference in incidence of RLF between exchanged and non-exchanged infants. In infants < 29 wks. gestation exposed to > 120 hrs. O2 therapy (n=22) there was no significant difference in incidence of RLF in exchanged (73%) and non-exchanged infants (88%) (p > .85), nor was there a significant difference in infants ≥ 29 wks. gestation exposed to > 120 hrs. O2 therapy (n=19) between exchanged (92%) and non-exchanged (72%) infants (p > .45). These data indicate that the occurrence of RLF is unrelated to ET when infants are matched for birth weight, gestational age, and duration of O2 therapy.