RETROLENTAL FIBROPLASIA: CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS

[摘要] Retrolental fibroplasia is a postnatally acquired disease. The basic pattern for the disease is present in the majority of premature infants born weighing less than 1500 gm.A relationship between the electrolyte content of the diet, and fluid retention can be established in small premature infants. A relationship between large blood transfusions and an increased incidence of RLF is presented. Exclusively human milk diets, fed until a weight of 1800 gm. is achieved, do not prevent RLF developing later in infants born weighing less than 1500 gm. ACTH may exert its temporary influence on RLF by its diuretic effect on water and salt metabolism in the premature infant.Two factors, formulae of high electrolyte concentration and blood transfusion, may overload the capacities for physiologic adjustment of the smaller premature infant, and lead to RLF. A direct relationship between the development of RLF and blood transfusion during a period of water and electrolyte retention is reported.The practice of feeding high electrolyte formulae, and excessively large blood transfusion for anemia may be responsible for the remarkable variation in incidence from hospital to hospital, the variation in incidence even in the same hospital, and the increasing incidence of RLF in premature infants following the introduction of these practices.

[学科分类] 儿科学