Oxygen-Saturation Targets in Preterm Infants

In the 1940s, Wilson et al. observed that periodic breathing in premature infants was nearly eliminated with the use of 70% oxygen.1 Although Wilson cautioned against unrestricted use of oxygen, other investigators and the American Academy of Pediatrics advocated its liberal use, which led to an epidemic of retinopathy of prematurity. Subsequently, in a randomized clinical trial, investigators found that high oxygen concentrations were associated with an increased risk of severe retinopathy of prematurity.2 However, it soon was evident that restricted use of oxygen (60 to 70% saturation vs. oxygen as clinically required) was associated with an increased risk of . . .