Nasrin Khalesi, Arash Bordbar, Nastaran Khosravi*, Morteza Kabirian and Alireza Karimi Pages 1845 - 1848 ( 4 )
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.
Retinopathy, gestational age, placebo, low birth weight, prematurity, omega-3.
Department of Pediatrics, Akbarabadi Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Ali Asghar Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Ali Asghar Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Ali Asghar Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Mchotooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395