Abstract
Objective
To study the efficacy and safety of mydriatic microdrops compared with standard drops for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening.
Study design
Preterm infants undergoing ROP screening received microdrops and standard drops of phenylephrine 1.67% and tropicamide 0.33% in a random allocation sequence at two consecutive weekly examinations. Primary outcome was pupil diameter measured by two masked observers at 45 (T45) and 90 (T90) minutes after instillation.
Results
Twenty-five infants were randomized. No differences observed in mean pupil diameter after either administration technique at all time points (T45 Mean Difference: −0.14; 95% Confidence Interval: −0.38, 0.09; p = 0.23). Heart rate values at T120 were lower after microdrop instillation (p = 0.046). Otherwise, adverse events did not differ after either administration technique.
Conclusion
This pilot study provides evidence of microdrops mydriasis efficacy, while justifying a full-scale trial to confirm their non-inferiority compared with standard drops and provide more data about safety.
Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04623684.
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AKS, ML, EG, ABH, and AM contributed to the conception and design of the study. AKS was involved in the assignment of interventions. ML and AM were involved in the recruitment and screening of trial participants and data collection. AKS, PT, ABH, and AM performed data analysis. All authors (AKS, ML, PT, EG, ED, NZ, ABH, and AM) contributed to the interpretation of the data. AKS, PT and AM prepared the initial draft manuscript. All authors (AKS, ML, PT, EG, ED, NZ, ABH, and AM) were involved in the revision and edit of the manuscript. All authors (AKS, ML, PT, EG, ED, NZ, ABH, and AM) approved the final version to be published and are responsible for accuracy and integrity of all aspects of research.
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Seliniotaki, A.K., Lithoxopoulou, M., Talimtzi, P. et al. Efficacy and safety of mydriatic microdrops for retinopathy of prematurity screening: an external pilot crossover randomized controlled trial. J Perinatol 42, 371–377 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-021-01229-w
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-021-01229-w
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