In retinopathy of prematurity, oxygen damages tiny, developing blood vessels within the eye. Brooks and Bhatia are examining the role of blood transfusions in retinopathy of prematurity in about 100 premature babies weighing less than 2 and one-half pounds. During a five-week period beginning at about 3 to 6 weeks of age, a critical period for developing retinopathy of prematurity, half the babies will receive blood transfusions to replace blood lost to blood tests and minor medical procedures. The other half will get a transfusion only if they start showing symptoms resulting from blood loss such as increased oxygen needs and not growing well. They'll then follow the babies for two years looking for differences in rates of retinopathy, total growth and other significant indicators.
Blood carries oxygen.
If we could cut down on the amount of oxygen carried to the retina, maybe we can cut down on oxygen-related damage. The doctors say the work, funded by the Knights Templar Educational Foundation of Georgia, Inc., could impact care given in neonatal intensive care units across the country.