[A protocol for the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity in Spain]. / Protocolo de tratamiento de la retinopatía del prematuro en España.

OBJECTIVE: To prepare a protocol for the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) agreed by the majority of Spanish ophthalmologists dedicated to this topic. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A draft of the protocol was produced taking into account the experience of the participants and up to date publications. This draft was corrected by all the ophthalmologists participating in the project, and the final document was agreed by all of them. RESULTS: We present general guidelines as an aid for the treatment of ROP, including treatment criteria, treatment methods, a calendar of action, and follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to have a common working protocol for the treatment of ROP to improve care and to avoid mistakes. Although individual Hospitals may adapt the protocol to their daily activity, it is recommended that there is a minimal working protocol agreed by most of professionals dedicated to pediatric ophthalmology in Spain.

Protocolo de tratamiento de la retinopatía del prematuro en España / A protocol for the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity in Spain

Objetivo: Realizar un protocolo de tratamiento de la retinopatía del prematuro (ROP) consensuado por la mayor parte de oftalmólogos españoles dedicados al tema. Material y método: Se realizó un borrador del protocolo según la experiencia de los participantes y las publicaciones actualizadas. Este borrador fue corregido por los participantes en el protocolo y se llegó al documento final consensuado por todos los participantes. Resultados: Se presentan las directrices generales para realizar el tratamiento de la ROP, incluyendo criterios de tratamiento, metodología de actuación, calendario de actuación y seguimiento. Conclusiones: Es importante disponer de un protocolo de actuación común en el tratamiento de la ROP para mejorar la actuación y evitar errores. Aunque cada centro hospitalario deba adaptar el protocolo a su actividad clínica, es recomendable que existan un mínimo de procedimientos consensuados por todos los oftalmólogos dedicados a la ROP (AU)

Objective: To prepare a protocol for the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) agreed by the majority of Spanish ophthalmologists dedicated to this topic. Material and method: A draft of the protocol was produced taking into account the experience of the participants and up to date publications. This draft was corrected by all the ophthalmologists participating in the project, and the final document was agreed by all of them. Results: We present general guidelines as an aid for the treatment of ROP, including treatment criteria, treatment methods, a calendar of action, and follow-up. Conclusions: It is important to have a common working protocol for the treatment of ROP to improve care and to avoid mistakes. Although individual Hospitals may adapt the protocol to their daily activity, it is recommended that there is a minimal working protocol agreed by most of professionals dedicated to pediatric ophthalmology in Spain (AU)

Programa de cribado para la retinopatía del prematuro en España / Screening program for retinopathy of prematurity in Spain

Objetivo: Realizar un protocolo de cribado de la retinopatía del prematuro (ROP), consensuado por la mayor parte de oftalmólogos españoles dedicados al tema. Material y método: Se realizó un borrador del protocolo según la experiencia de los participantes y las publicaciones actualizadas. Este borrador fue corregido por los participantes en el protocolo y se llegó al documento final consensuado por todos los participantes. Resultados: Se presentan las directrices generales para realizar el cribado de la ROP, incluyendo criterios de inclusión y exclusión, metodología de exploración y calendario de actuación. Conclusiones: Es importante disponer de un protocolo de actuación común en el cribado de la ROP para mejorar la actuación y evitar errores. Aunque cada centro hospitalario deba adaptar el protocolo a su actividad clínica es recomendable que existan un mínimo de procedimientos consensuados por todos los oftalmólogos dedicados a la ROP (AU)

Objective: To prepare a retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening program as agreed by most of Spanish ophthalmologists dedicated to this topic. Material and method: A draft of the protocol was produced taking into account the experience of the participants and current publications. This draft was corrected by all the ophthalmologists participating in the project and the final document produced was agreed by all of them. Results: We present general guidelines to help in the screening of ROP, including treatment criteria, treatment methods, and a calendar of action. Conclusions: It is important to have a common working protocol in the screening of ROP to improve the action and to avoid mistakes. Although individual Hospitals may adapt the protocol to their daily activity, it is recommended that there is a minimal working protocol agreed by most of professionals dedicated to pediatric ophthalmology in Spain (AU)

Screening program for retinopathy of prematurity in Spain.

OBJECTIVE: To prepare a retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening program as agreed by most of Spanish ophthalmologists dedicated to this topic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A draft of the protocol was produced taking into account the experience of the participants and current publications. This draft was corrected by all the ophthalmologists participating in the project and the final document produced was agreed by all of them. RESULTS: We present general guidelines to help in the screening of ROP, including treatment criteria, treatment methods, and a calendar of action. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to have a common working protocol in the screening of ROP to improve the action and to avoid mistakes. Although individual Hospitals may adapt the protocol to their daily activity, it is recommended that there is a minimal working protocol agreed by most of professionals dedicated to pediatric ophthalmology in Spain.

Administración precoz de eritropoyetina en el prematuro extremo, ¿factor de riesgo de la retinopatía del prematuro? / Early administration of erythropoietin in the extreme premature, a risk factor for retinopathy of prematurity?

Introducción: La eritropoyetina (EPO) estimula la angiogénesis y podría favorecer la retinopatía del prematuro (ROP). El objetivo fue determinar si la EPO más hierro (Fe) administrada a partir del quinto día de vida era un factor de riesgo independiente para el desarrollo de ROP y su gravedad. Pacientes y métodos: 718 prematuros supervivientes con peso al nacer (PN) ≤1.500g o edad gestacional (EG) ≤32 semanas (y 6 días), ingresados entre 2001 y 2008. Los objetivos de SaO2 durante estos años fueron mantenerla entre el 88 y el 93%. El tratamiento con EPO se inició a los 5–7 días de vida, a 250UI/kg/3 veces a la semana vía subcutánea, asociada a Fe 5–6mg/kg/día, hasta las 34 semanas de edad corregida o el alta. Resultados: 493 prematuros (68,7%) no presentaron ROP, 139 (19,4%) tuvieron una ROP grado 1, 50 (7,0%) una grado 2 y 36 (5,0%) una grado 3. 27 precisaron láser. Una mayor gravedad de la ROP se asoció con menor PN y EG, más patología neonatal y mayor agresividad terapéutica (duración de la oxigenoterapia o ventiloterapia, número de transfusiones de hematíes). Los factores de riesgo asociados de manera independiente y significativa con la presencia de cualquier estadio de ROP fueron: menor PN, ausencia de cesárea, administración de EPO y necesidad de transfusión de hematíes. La administración de EPO aumentó 2,4 veces el riesgo de ROP, pero la influencia de la EPO sólo se observó en la aparición de ROP grado 1 (odds ratio: 5,50). Conclusiones: La administración de EPO+Fe se asocia y quizás favorece la aparición de ROP grado 1 (AU)

Introduction: Erythropoietin (EPO) stimulates angiogenesis and may favour the appearance of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). The objective was to determine if EPO+Fe administered from the 5th day of life could be an independent risk factor for ROP appearance and its severity. Patients and method: The study included 718 preterm newborns with a birth weight ≤1,500g or a gestational age ≤32 weeks (and 6 days), admitted between 2001 and 2008. During these years, the target SaO2 was between 88% and 93%. EPO treatment began at 5–7 days of life, with a dose of 250 UI/Kg, 3 times a week, subcutaneously, together with Fe, 5–6mg/kg/day, both until 34 weeks of corrected age or discharge. Results: A total of 493 preterms (68.7%) did not have ROP, 139 (19.4%) had a grade 1 ROP, 50 (7.0%) a grade 2 ROP and 36 (5.0%) a grade 3 ROP. Laser therapy was required by 27 severe ROP was associated with lower birth weight and gestational age, more neonatal morbidity and a more aggressive treatment (duration of oxygen supplements or mechanical ventilation, number of blood transfusions). Risk factors independently and significantly associated with any ROP grade were: lower birth weight, no caesarean section, EPO administration and need for blood transfusion. EPO administration increased the risk of ROP by 2.4, but this only happened in case of grade 1 ROP (OR: 5.50). Conclusions: EPO+Fe administration is associated and perhaps stimulates the appearance of grade 1 ROP (AU)

[Early administration of erythropoietin in the extreme premature, a risk factor for retinopathy of prematurity?]. / Administración precoz de eritropoyetina en el prematuro extremo, ¿factor de riesgo de la retinopatía del prematuro?

INTRODUCTION: Erythropoietin (EPO) stimulates angiogenesis and may favour the appearance of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). The objective was to determine if EPO+Fe administered from the 5th day of life could be an independent risk factor for ROP appearance and its severity. PATIENTS AND METHOD: The study included 718 preterm newborns with a birth weight ≤1,500g or a gestational age ≤32 weeks (and 6 days), admitted between 2001 and 2008. During these years, the target SaO2 was between 88% and 93%. EPO treatment began at 5-7 days of life, with a dose of 250 UI/Kg, 3 times a week, subcutaneously, together with Fe, 5-6mg/kg/day, both until 34 weeks of corrected age or discharge. RESULTS: A total of 493 preterms (68.7%) did not have ROP, 139 (19.4%) had a grade 1 ROP, 50 (7.0%) a grade 2 ROP and 36 (5.0%) a grade 3 ROP. Laser therapy was required by 27 severe ROP was associated with lower birth weight and gestational age, more neonatal morbidity and a more aggressive treatment (duration of oxygen supplements or mechanical ventilation, number of blood transfusions). Risk factors independently and significantly associated with any ROP grade were: lower birth weight, no caesarean section, EPO administration and need for blood transfusion. EPO administration increased the risk of ROP by 2.4, but this only happened in case of grade 1 ROP (OR: 5.50). CONCLUSIONS: EPO+Fe administration is associated and perhaps stimulates the appearance of grade 1 ROP.