Retinopathy in pre-term babies

   17 October 2006

   At a recent conference in Europe, eye specialists and researchers warned of a growing epidemic
   of blindness among babies. It’s condition that was first noted in rich countries like
   Australia and the United States but is now apparently taking hold in middle income and poor
   nations.

   It’s called retinopathy of prematurity – ROP - and is a complication of neonatal intensive
   care of pre-term babies. ROP was once thought to be caused by giving these babies too much
   oxygen but Australian research has shown that it’s more fluctuations in oxygen levels that do
   the harm so very good oxygen control is needed.

   While the problem’s not solved in countries like ours, it’s a lot better. But in nations which
   are just starting to ventilate premature babies, they haven’t learned these lessons – with
   disastrous results.

   It’s another example of how having evidence for good care isn’t enough. You’ve got to spread
   the message effectively. In this case it means an urgent transfer of knowledge from richer
   nations to poorer ones.