OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of ω-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA)-enriched lipid emulsions (SMOFlipid) vs. traditional soybean oil-based lipid emulsions (Intralipid) on the occurrence and severity of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in infants with very low birth weight (VLBW).

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, 301 VLBW infants who received either SMOFlipid or Intralipid for a minimum of 14 d were included. The main outcome measured was the frequency and severity of ROP, with secondary outcomes covering other complications associated with preterm birth.

RESULTS

Of the infants studied, 180 were administered SMOFlipid, while 121 received Intralipid. The incidence of ROP was notably lower in the SMOFlipid group (32.8% vs. 45.5%; RR 0.59; 95% CI 0.36-0.94; P = 0.026). Additionally, the occurrence of severe ROP was reduced by 66.06% in infants given SMOFlipid (5.6% vs. 16.5%; RR 0.30; 95% CI 0.13-0.66; P = 0.002). Multivariate logistic regression suggested that using SMOFlipid was linked to a reduced risk of both ROP (OR 0.44; 95% CI 0.24-0.82; P = 0.010) and severe ROP (OR 0.09; 95% CI 0.03-0.30; P < 0.001). There were no considerable differences noted in other complications associated with preterm birth between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to Intralipid, SMOFlipid treatment reduced both the risk and severity of ROP. Parenteral supplementation with fish oil-containing emulsions might offer a novel approach to lowering the incidence and severity of ROP in VLBW infants.