What's new AAPOS 2008 - The Private Eye Clinic

PREMATURITY
Perinatal care in the threshold of viability: An international comparison of
practical guidelines for the treatment of extremely preterm births.
Pignotti M, Donzelli G.
Pediatrics 2008; 121(1):e193-e198.
The authors conducted a review of published guidelines concerning the different
approaches to the care of extremely preterm births in various countries. They found
that intensive care was justified in age greater than 25 weeks, compassionate care
should be delivered for less than 22 weeks and a variable individual approach to 23 –
24 weeks. As developing countries increased their ability to resuscitate and care for
extremely low birth weight infants the prevalence of retinopathy of prematurity will surely
increase in these countries.
Neurodevelopmental outcome in survivors of periventricular hemorrhagic
infarction.
Bassan H, Limperopoulos C, Visconti K, Mayer D et al.
Pediatrics 2007 Oct; 120(4):785-792.
In the study conducted in Boston 30 premature infants were followed prospectively to
evaluate developmental and cognitive deaths associated with periventricular
hemorrhagic infarction. 26% of the children had significant involvement of the visual
pathways leading to decreased visual acuity or significant visual field deficits. Children
discharged from the hospital with a diagnosis of periventricular hemorrhagic required
close ophthalmic follow-up and early intervention.
Neonatologists’ practices and experiences in arranging retinopathy of
prematurity screening services.
Kemper A, Wallace D.
Pediatrics 2007 Sep; 120(3):527-531.
The authors conducted a mail survey of 300 neonatologists to determine their practices
and experiences related to coordinating, screening and treatment for ROP. The
response rate was 62%. The authors found that only 19% of the respondents used the
recommended gestational age criterion of 30 weeks for initiating screening with 6%
using lower, more restrictive criteria, and 70% using a higher, more inclusive criterion.
86% used 1,500 grams as the birth weight for criterion for screening. 46% reported that
retina specialists provided the treatment, although 67% stated that screening was
performed by pediatric ophthalmologists. 30% reported that they could not back
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