RETROLENTAL FIBROPLASIA IN SWEDEN General Survey and Selected Study on Patients born in 1960–1966

Summary In Sweden 274 cases of retrolental fibroplasia have been reported between 1945 and 1966. After a dramatic decrease in incidence since 1953, there has been a slight increase between 1960 and 1966. Thus 23 patients with irreversible retrolental fibroplasia during this latter period as a rule were of very low birth weight and gestational age; received oxygen for more than 1 week and in maximum concentrations below 40% in breathing air in the incubator. Oxygen was partly administered by funnel to half the patients. One patient history indicated a pathogenetic connection with intra‐uterine hypoxia. Aspects of pathophysiology, oxygen therapy and its control are discussed.