The Efficacy of Omega-3 Supplement on Prevention of Retinopathy of Prematurity in Premature Infants: A Randomized Double-blinded Controlled trial

Title:The Efficacy of Omega-3 Supplement on Prevention of Retinopathy of Prematurity in Premature Infants: A Randomized Double-blinded Controlled trial

Volume: 24 Issue: 17

Author(s): Nasrin Khalesi, Arash Bordbar, Nastaran Khosravi*, Morteza Kabirian and Alireza Karimi

Affiliation:

• Ali Asghar Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran,Iran

Keywords: Retinopathy, gestational age, placebo, low birth weight, prematurity, omega-3.

Abstract: Background: The present study aimed to assess the efficacy of omega-3 in treating ROP in premature infants.

Methods: This randomized double-blinded controlled trial was performed on 160 premature infants with gestational age lower than 32 weeks and birth weight < 1500 grams who were at risk of ROP development (Tehran, Iran-2013). Children were randomly assigned to two groups. The intervention group received 300 mg omega-3 daily and the control group received sterile water as the placebo. The severity of ROP was defined according to the International Classification of ROP.

Results: The frequency of ROP was 7.5% in the group received omega-3 and 20.0% in the placebo group with a significant difference (p = 0.021). Regarding the severity of ROP in the intervention group, ROP grade I was found in two patients and ROP grade II in four patients; while ROP grade I, II, and III were revealed in 6, 6, and 4 patients in placebo group indicating a significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.001). Using the multivariate logistic regression modeling with the presence of gender, gestational age, and birth weight, the use of omega-3 was associated with reduced risk for ROP (p = 0.045).

Conclusion: The use of omega-3 supplement can be an appropriate treatment option for the treatment of ROP in premature infants.

Cite this article as:

Khalesi Nasrin , Bordbar Arash , Khosravi Nastaran *, Kabirian Morteza and Karimi Alireza , The Efficacy of Omega-3 Supplement on Prevention of Retinopathy of Prematurity in Premature Infants: A Randomized Double-blinded Controlled trial, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2018; 24 (17) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612824666180601094849