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

N. Khalesi, Arash Bordbar, N. Khosravi, M. Kabirian, Alireza Karimi

Current pharmaceutical design, 2018

160 participants · 12 citations

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.

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 160 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

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