Effects of Myo-inositol on Type 1 Retinopathy of Prematurity Among Preterm Infants <28 Weeks’ Gestational Age: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Key Points

Question  Does administration of myo-inositol to premature infants for up to 10 weeks reduce the incidence of type 1 retinopathy of prematurity?

Findings  In this randomized clinical trial that included 638 premature infants younger than 28 weeks’ gestational age, treatment with myo-inositol for up to 10 weeks did not reduce the risk of type 1 retinopathy of prematurity or death compared with placebo (29% vs 21%, respectively).

Meaning  These findings do not support the use of myo-inositol among premature infants; however, the early termination of the trial limits definitive conclusions.

Importance  Previous studies of myo-inositol in preterm infants with respiratory distress found reduced severity of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and less frequent ROP, death, and intraventricular hemorrhage. However, no large trials have tested its efficacy or safety.

Objective  To test the adverse events and efficacy of myo-inositol to reduce type 1 ROP among infants younger than 28 weeks’ gestational age.

Design, Setting, and Participants  Randomized clinical trial included 638 infants younger than 28 weeks’ gestational age enrolled from 18 neonatal intensive care centers throughout the United States from April 17, 2014, to September 4, 2015; final date of follow-up was February 12, 2016. The planned enrollment of 1760 participants would permit detection of an absolute reduction in death or type 1 ROP of 7% with 90% power. The trial was terminated early due to a statistically significantly higher mortality rate in the myo-inositol group.

Interventions  A 40-mg/kg dose of myo-inositol was given every 12 hours (initially intravenously, then enterally when feeding; n = 317) or placebo (n = 321) for up to 10 weeks.

Main Outcomes and Measures  Type 1 ROP or death before determination of ROP outcome was designated as unfavorable. The designated favorable outcome was survival without type 1 ROP.

Results  Among 638 infants (mean, 26 weeks’ gestational age; 50% male), 632 (99%) received the trial drug or placebo and 589 (92%) had a study outcome. Death or type 1 ROP occurred more often in the myo-inositol group vs the placebo group (29% vs 21%, respectively; adjusted risk difference, 7% [95% CI, 0%-13%]; adjusted relative risk, 1.41 [95% CI, 1.08-1.83], P = .01). All-cause death before 55 weeks’ postmenstrual age occurred in 18% of the myo-inositol group and in 11% of the placebo group (adjusted risk difference, 6% [95% CI, 0%-11%]; adjusted relative risk, 1.66 [95% CI, 1.14-2.43], P = .007). The most common serious adverse events up to 7 days of receiving the ending dose were necrotizing enterocolitis (6% for myo-inositol vs 4% for placebo), poor perfusion or hypotension (7% vs 4%, respectively), intraventricular hemorrhage (10% vs 9%), systemic infection (16% vs 11%), and respiratory distress (15% vs 13%).

Conclusions and Relevance  Among premature infants younger than 28 weeks’ gestational age, treatment with myo-inositol for up to 10 weeks did not reduce the risk of type 1 ROP or death vs placebo. These findings do not support the use of myo-inositol among premature infants; however, the early termination of the trial limits definitive conclusions.

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a common morbidity among premature infants and a leading cause of childhood blindness worldwide.^1,2 Investigations conducted from 1986 through 1992 of myo-inositol use as a surfactant component found that infants with respiratory distress syndrome who were treated with inositol had improved survival, lower rates of pneumothorax or intraventricular hemorrhage, and reduced rates of ROP.^3-7

Furthermore, in 2000-2001, researchers comparing (1) human milk feedings (normally high in inositol) vs formulas that did not contain inositol and (2) inositol-supplemented formula vs non–inositol-supplemented formula found higher rates of ROP in the infants fed non–inositol-supplemented formula.^8,9 Use of antenatal steroids and exogenous surfactant has since reduced respiratory morbidity from respiratory distress syndrome; however, ROP remains a serious sequela among survivors of extremely preterm birth.^10,11 A 2012 Cochrane meta-analysis concluded that myo-inositol reduced preterm death, severe intraventricular hemorrhage, and ROP, which warranted the undertaking of a large multicenter randomized clinical trial.¹²

Retinal vessels first begin to vascularize the developing retina, growing in from the hyaloid artery at about 16 weeks’ gestational age. The retinal vessels generally reach the ora serrata (full vascularization) at 36 to 45 weeks’ postmenstrual age (PMA; defined as the sum of gestational age at birth plus No. of weeks postnatal), but this process is more prolonged if ROP develops.^10,13 The stresses of preterm birth, most notably sustained high Pao₂ levels that suppress the proangiogenic factors supporting growth, result in retinal ischemia as the retina becomes more metabolically active. As ischemia increases, excessive neovascularization follows. If mild, neovascularization may resolve spontaneously or it may progress to an uncontrolled level, leading to retinal detachment.^10,13 Retinopathy of prematurity has been classified by various prognostic grades or types to assist ophthalmologists in selecting the best time to surgically intervene to prevent retinal detachments.¹⁰ Type 1 ROP meets the criteria for surgical intervention determined by serial retinal examinations. The purpose of this trial was to test the safety and efficacy of myo-inositol among infants younger than 28 weeks’ gestational age to reduce the rates of type 1 ROP.

This double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, and reviewed and approved by the institutional review boards at each recruiting institution and the Neonatal Research Network data coordinating center prior to enrollment. Infants were enrolled once written informed consent was obtained from a parent or guardian prior to 72 hours of age. The trial was conducted by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network. The trial protocol appears in Supplement 1 and the statistical analysis plan appears in Supplement 2.

Infants born before 28 0/7 weeks of gestation, surviving for at least 12 hours, and admitted to 1 of the 18 Neonatal Research Network centers before 72 hours’ postnatal age were screened for eligibility (Figure). The centers included major universities throughout the United States.

Exclusion criteria included any major congenital anomaly, any eye anomaly, or any moribund condition. Because type 1 ROP is known to vary among individuals from different racial/ethnic backgrounds, the mother’s self-reported race/ethnicity (selected from defined categories provided by the National Institutes of Health) was collected from electronic medical records.^1,11

Computer-generated and centrally administered randomization used a permuted block design with block sizes of 2 and 4. Participants were stratified within center and by subgroups of gestational age (<26 0/7 vs 26 0/7 to 27 6/7 weeks of gestation) and randomized in a 1:1 ratio. Infants from multiple births were randomized individually. With the exception of pharmacists, who prepared the daily unit doses of myo-inositol or placebo according to randomization assignment, all other clinical and research personnel and families were blind to group assignment.

The active drug was an isotonic, sterile, pyrogen- and preservative-free aqueous solution of 5% myo-inositol (50 mg/mL) at neutral pH and was provided by Abbott Laboratories. After conducting pharmacokinetic and safety studies of myo-inositol in extremely preterm infants, a dose of 40 mg/kg every 12 hours was selected to achieve serum concentrations similar to those previously reported.^14,15 A therapeutic duration of up to 10 weeks was chosen to sustain serum myo-inositol levels similar to those found in utero throughout the period of normal retinal vascular development and because of the reported benefits in the treatment of ROP and survival.¹²

The placebo was a solution of 5% glucose for intravenous infusion from pharmacy stock. Both solutions were clear, colorless, nonviscous, and slightly sweet if tasted. Doses were initially given intravenously, changed to enteral when the infant was receiving enteral feedings of 120 mL/kg/d, or changed sooner if intravenous fluids were discontinued. Treatment continued for up to 10 weeks, until hospital discharge, or until 34 weeks’ PMA.¹⁶ No changes to the protocol occurred during the trial.

The unfavorable primary outcome was type 1 ROP, which was defined as meeting the criteria for ophthalmological intervention to prevent retinal detachment, a more severe ROP type than ROP type 1 (eg, aggressive posterior ROP or rush disease), or death before the ROP outcome could be determined.¹⁰ The favorable primary outcome was survival with only milder ROP or no ROP. Infants were followed up as outpatients to determine the primary outcome up to a maximum of 55 weeks’ PMA.

The severity of ROP was determined with serial eye examinations by ophthalmologists highly experienced with ROP beginning at 31 weeks’ PMA.^17,18 The lead ophthalmologist at each trial center had extensive experience in identifying and managing ROP, was certified in the diagnosis of ROP via the International Classification of Retinopathy of Prematurity, and ensured consistency among that center’s examiners.^18,19 If an infant developed type 1 ROP in either eye, a second examination by an independent examiner or fundus photographs were required to confirm or document the findings prior to the surgical intervention.

For infants who missed follow-up visits, all available clinical ROP data were reviewed through an independent process to determine the ROP outcome of (1) most likely never had type 1 ROP or (2) most likely developed type 1 ROP. This adjudication was performed under the supervision of the data coordinating center.

The adjudicators, who were blind to trial group assignment and who did not review the data for any infant from the center at which he or she was employed, were ophthalmologists with extensive ROP experience. The adjudication process was performed to reduce missing data bias because incomplete follow-up is more common among participants with mild or no ROP than among those who develop type 1 ROP. A pocket guide was provided as a tool to assist research personnel with the recording of the ROP outcomes and for the scheduling of follow-up examinations (eFigure 1 in Supplement 3).

The preplanned secondary efficacy outcomes were occurrence of any type of ROP; self-resolving type 2 ROP or greater; and all-cause mortality up to 55 weeks’ PMA. All-cause mortality also is reported through the earliest of the following events: hospital transfer, hospital discharge, or 120 days of age.

Clinical diagnoses of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, bronchopulmonary dysplasia or death reported as caused by bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and severe intraventricular hemorrhage through hospital discharge, hospital transfer, death, or 120 days of age were secondary efficacy and safety outcomes and were recorded using uniform definitions established for the Neonatal Research Network protocols.²⁰

Additional clinical diagnoses were recorded as safety outcomes through hospital discharge, hospital transfer, death, or 120 days of age using Neonatal Research Network protocol definitions. For each death, the site principal investigator reviewed the infant’s course and verified the primary and contributing causes of death, taking into account discussion with the clinical team, autopsy results (if an autopsy was performed), and the results of any internal mortality review. Multiple causes of death could be listed per infant.

Adverse events were prospectively monitored and recorded according to organ system, severity, and possible relatedness to the trial drug. All adverse events (ie, any untoward medical occurrence in a patient temporally associated with the use of a drug in humans) either considered related to the drug or not related and occurring prior to 7 days after the end of dosing were collected with the exception of mild and expected events.

The components of the primary outcome (type 1 ROP and death before determination of ROP outcome) were prespecified exploratory outcomes along with weight, length, and head circumference measured through 7 days after the end of dosing. Cystic areas in the cerebral parenchyma were recorded through 28 days. Follow-up evaluations were scheduled for 22 to 26 months’ corrected age and are not reported herein.

Based on an occurrence rate for the primary outcome of 30% in a large study,²¹ the estimated total enrollment was 1672 (836 per group) to achieve 90% power to detect an absolute reduction of 7% or greater in type 1 ROP or death prior to the determination of an ROP outcome (assuming a 2-tailed α level of .05 using a Mantel-Haenszel test).²² Inflating the sample size for an estimated lost to follow-up rate of 3% to 5%, and a single interim analysis for 1000 enrollees with final outcomes, the projected sample size was 1760. The analyses for all other secondary and safety outcomes were exploratory and not intended to be formal tests of hypotheses; therefore, no adjustments were made for multiplicity.

For the primary and secondary outcomes, the analyses were performed on an intention-to-treat basis and included adjudicated ROP outcomes according to the prespecified statistical analysis plan (Supplement 2). Individuals for whom adjudicated ROP outcomes could not be obtained were treated as missing completely at random and were excluded from the primary analysis. Poisson regression was used to estimate adjusted relative risks (RRs) and a generalized linear model with a binomial distribution and identity link was used to estimate the adjusted absolute risk differences (and associated 95% CIs) for myo-inositol vs placebo for the primary outcome and for all binary secondary outcomes.^22-24 The analyses were adjusted for center when possible and gestational age strata. For the primary outcome, gestational age strata × sex interaction terms were explored to determine if the treatment effect differed by gestational age or sex. For continuous secondary outcomes, analysis of covariance models that controlled for strata defined by gestational age and center were used. Growth was assessed using repeated measure models that controlled for site and gestational age strata.

Causes of death (including due to infectious organisms) were summarized. Infectious organisms were explored post hoc in an attempt to understand the observed increase in mortality in the myo-inositol group that led to early trial termination. The post hoc analyses by drug lot used the same modeling approaches but compared lot groups instead of treatment groups.

All statistical analyses were performed using 2-sided tests with SAS software version 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc). A P value of less than .05 was considered statistically significant. No adjustments of the P value threshold were planned to account for the interim safety reviews of the trial data conducted by the data and safety monitoring committee.

The trial protocol specified that the Neonatal Research Network data and safety monitoring committee would monitor safety and the overall trial performance at a preplanned frequency when approximately 25%, 50%, and 75% of the enrolled participants had completed trial therapy. The first preplanned safety review was scheduled to occur after 19 months of enrollment. At 18 months, trial enrollment and treatment were suspended because of a manufacturing issue.

Particulate matter was identified in lot 3 of the trial drug before it was released for use. Because of this, the stored quality control vials from lot 2 (then currently in use) were subjected to an additional examination. This examination revealed particulate matter had developed in 17 of the approximately 900 vials examined (1.9%). Quality control vials from lot 1 (no longer in use) had passed all scheduled inspections. The particulate matter was later identified as glass lamellae and is discussed below with the associated analyses.

Due to the timing of the trial suspension, a review of the safety data by lot was added to the first preplanned safety review of the accumulating data by the data and safety monitoring committee. The data and safety monitoring committee recommended the continued suspension of the trial while the remaining data were collected and a final recommendation was made approximately 4 months later that the trial be stopped early based on a statistically significant increase in all-cause deaths through 55 weeks’ PMA in the myo-inositol group, which was unrelated to the manufacturing issue.

The review of the lot data did not show any evidence of harm to neonates exposed to lot 2 of the trial drug compared with those exposed to lot 1. No further drug was given and full data collection was continued as planned for up to 55 weeks’ PMA.¹⁶

From April 17, 2014, through September 4, 2015, 1398 infants were screened, 1323 met the eligibility criteria, and 638 (48% of 1323 eligible infants) were randomized. The final date of follow-up was February 12, 2016, and 589 infants (92%) had a study outcome. The major reason for not enrolling in the trial was lack of informed consent (601). Six randomized participants received no doses (4 in the myo-inositol group and 2 in the placebo group) because of death or trial withdrawal prior to the first dose.

Of the 317 infants randomized to receive myo-inositol, 313 received the trial drug. Forty-two did not complete treatment due to the suspension of the trial (34 of those received ≥10 days of dosing) and 297 reached a primary outcome.

In the placebo group, 319 of the 321 participants received the assigned treatment, 36 did not complete treatment due to trial suspension (32 with ≥10 days of dosing) and 297 reached a primary outcome. Participants who did not receive the full course of treatment were included in the analyses.

The baseline characteristics of infants in the myo-inositol group and in the placebo group were similar (Table 1). The mean gestational age was 26 weeks, the mean birthweight was 780 g, and 53% of enrollees were younger than 26 weeks’ gestational age.

Adjudication of the ROP outcome was required for 39 infants (16 in the myo-inositol group and 23 in the placebo group). Death or type 1 ROP occurred more often in the myo-inositol group compared with the placebo group (29% vs 21%, respectively; adjusted risk difference, 7% [95% CI, 0% to 13%]; adjusted RR, 1.41 [95% CI, 1.08 to 1.83], P = .01; Table 2). For the prespecified exploratory analyses of the components of the primary outcome, death before determination of ROP occurred in 16% of the myo-inositol group vs 10% of the placebo group (adjusted risk difference, 4% [95% CI, −1% to 9%]; adjusted RR, 1.53 [95% CI, 1.03 to 2.25], P = .03).

The rates for type 1 ROP only were not significantly different with or without the adjudicated ROP outcome. Using the adjudicated ROP outcome, 16% in the myo-inositol group and 11% in the placebo group developed type 1 ROP (adjusted risk difference, 3% [95% CI, −3% to 8%]; adjusted RR, 1.38 [95% CI, 0.91 to 2.10], P = .13). The overall treatment × sex interaction and treatment × gestational age strata interaction were not significant (P = .20 and P = .51, respectively).

The between-group differences for presence of any ROP outcome and the type 2 ROP or greater outcome were not significantly different. All-cause mortality up to 55 weeks’ PMA was 18% in the myo-inositol group and 11% in the placebo group (adjusted risk difference, 6% [95% CI, 0%-11%]; adjusted RR, 1.66 [95% CI, 1.14-2.43], P = .007; Table 3). The between-group differences for bronchopulmonary dysplasia and severe intraventricular hemorrhage were not significantly different (Table 3).

The between-group differences for the majority of the clinical outcomes were not significantly different through hospital discharge, hospital transfer, death, or 120 days of age. However, the between-group difference for mean No. of days receiving parental nutrition was significant and there was a greater number of days reported on average in the myo-inositol group (29.6 vs 26.2 days in placebo group; between-group difference, 3.33 [95% CI, 0.14 to 6.53], P = .04). In both treatment groups, the most common cause of death before reaching the ROP outcome was respiratory distress syndrome (50% for myo-inositol vs 58% for placebo), followed by sepsis (40% vs 39%, respectively), and intracranial hemorrhage (14% vs 27%) (Table 4).

The most common serious adverse events up to 7 days of receiving the ending dose were necrotizing enterocolitis (6% for myo-inositol and 4% for placebo), spontaneous intestinal perforation without necrotizing enterocolitis (5% vs 6%, respectively), poor perfusion or hypotension (7% vs 4%), intraventricular hemorrhage (10% vs 9%), systemic infection (16% vs 11%), and respiratory distress (15% vs 13%).

There were no between-group differences for the prespecified exploratory outcomes of growth (weight gain, head circumference, and length) or the cystic areas in the cerebral parenchyma (Table 3 and eFigure 2 in Supplement 3).

Post hoc examination of deaths due to late-onset sepsis revealed the suspected causal organisms to be viral in 2% of deaths in the myo-inositol group vs 6% of deaths in the placebo group, gram negative in 8% vs 9% of deaths, respectively, gram positive in 20% vs 12% of deaths, and yeast in 4% vs 3% of deaths. Post hoc analyses of the primary outcome and the clinical outcomes of infants exposed only to lot 1 of myo-inositol compared with those exposed only to lot 2 of myo-inositol (particulates were found in 1.9% of stored lot 2 trial drug vials) showed no evidence of increased risk among infants exposed to lot 2 of myo-inositol (eTables 1 and 2 in Supplement 3).

In this trial of supplemental myo-inositol to improve survival without type 1 ROP among extremely preterm infants, myo-inositol did not reduce type 1 ROP rates, and the trial was stopped early for an unexpected significant increase in mortality. The previous beneficial findings of myo-inositol were not observed in the current trial; however, there are several relevant differences between the current and former inositol studies.^3,4,6 Antenatal steroids were not widely used, nor was surfactant available during the earlier trials. The prior studies treated infants for 3 to 10 days with myo-inositol during the acute phase of respiratory distress syndrome, whereas the present trial treated infants for up to 10 weeks to support retinal vascular development.

In the previous trials,^3,4,6 infants were more mature at birth (mean, 27-29 weeks’ gestational age). One explanation could be that a benefit of myo-inositol on the rates of intraventricular hemorrhage, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and ROP during the earlier studies may have resulted from the predicted beneficial effect of myo-inositol on surfactant function.^3-5 Reducing the severity of respiratory distress syndrome could be expected to reduce these morbidities. Thus, a myo-inositol benefit on surfactant function in the current trial may have been outweighed by the beneficial effects of antenatal steroids, exogenous surfactant, and noninvasive ventilatory support in current use.

The dose of myo-inositol to produce serum concentrations was similar to those in the previous studies.^5,6,15 However, the combination of longer treatment and the inclusion of infants with younger gestational ages may have resulted in the unexpected increase in mortality through as yet unknown mechanisms. In vitro data have shown that infection of macrophages by some intracellular bacteria is enhanced by their ability to use myo-inositol as an energy source.²⁵

An additional issue for this trial was its suspension when particulates (later identified as glass lamellae) were found in the third lot of drug, which was never used. Glass particulates are a commonly cited reason for drug recalls. Delamination within glass vials is affected by both the glass manufacturing process and the chemical characteristics of the drug, particularly if acidic or caustic.^26,27

The glass lamellae subsequently found in 1.9% of stored vials in lot 2 of the trial drug raised the question whether the observed harmful effect of myo-inositol could have been due to these particles. However, detailed analyses revealed that there were no differences in the outcomes for infants treated with myo-inositol between the 2 lots of the trial drug.

This trial was terminated prematurely, thus limiting definitive conclusions. Because the trial did not enroll as many infants as the preplanned sample size, it was underpowered to make conclusions regarding the efficacy of myo-inositol. In addition, the trial was not formally powered to make a conclusive assessment regarding safety.

Among premature infants younger than 28 weeks’ gestational age, treatment with myo-inositol for up to 10 weeks did not reduce the risk of type 1 ROP or death vs placebo. These findings do not support the use of myo-inositol among premature infants; however, the early termination of the trial limits definitive conclusions.

Corresponding Author: Dale L. Phelps, MD, Division of Neonatology, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 651, Rochester, NY 14642 (dale_phelps@urmc.rochester.edu).

Accepted for Publication: September 24, 2018.

Correction: This article was corrected on January 30, 2019, to fix the spelling of a name in the Group Information section.

Author Contributions: Drs Nolen and Das had full access to all of the data in the study and take responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis.

Concept and design: Phelps, Watterberg, Nolen, Cole, Cotten, Oh, Poindexter, Zaterka-Baxter, Kennedy, Truog, Carlo, Brion, Quinn, Kicklighter, Chess, Ambalavanan, Higgins.

Acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data: Phelps, Watterberg, Nolen, Cotten, Oh, Poindexter, Zaterka-Baxter, Das, Backstrom Lacy, Scorsone, Walsh, Bell, Schibler, Sokol, Laughon, Lakshminrusimha, Truog, Garg, Carlo, Laptook, Van Meurs, Carlton, Graf, DeMauro, Brion, Shankaran, Orge, Mintz-Hittner, Yang, Haider, Wallace, Chung, Hug, Tsui, Cogen, Donahue, Gaynon, Hutchinson, He, Lucas, Winter, Kumar, Chess, Colaizy, Hibbs, Ambalavanan, Harmon, McGowan, Higgins.

Drafting of the manuscript: Phelps, Watterberg, Nolen, Oh, Backstrom Lacy, Scorsone, Carlton, Brion, Chess, Ambalavanan.

Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: Phelps, Watterberg, Nolen, Cole, Cotten, Oh, Poindexter, Zaterka-Baxter, Das, Scorsone, Walsh, Bell, Kennedy, Schibler, Sokol, Laughon, Lakshminrusimha, Truog, Garg, Carlo, Laptook, Van Meurs, Carlton, Graf, DeMauro, Brion, Shankaran, Orge, Mintz-Hittner, Yang, Haider, Wallace, Chung, Hug, Tsui, Cogen, Donahue, Gaynon, Hutchinson, Quinn, He, Lucas, Winter, Kicklighter, Kumar, Chess, Colaizy, Hibbs, Ambalavanan, Harmon, McGowan, Higgins.

Statistical analysis: Nolen, Oh, Das, Scorsone, Brion, Chung.

Obtained funding: Phelps, Poindexter, Walsh, Bell, Carlo, Carlton, Shankaran, He.

Administrative, technical, or material support: Phelps, Zaterka-Baxter, Backstrom Lacy, Scorsone, Bell, Kennedy, Sokol, Laughon, Lakshminrusimha, Truog, Garg, Carlo, Carlton, Graf, Brion, Yang, Chung, Hug, Donahue, Lucas, Chess, Hibbs, Higgins.

Supervision: Phelps, Cotten, Poindexter, Das, Scorsone, Kennedy, Schibler, Sokol, Lakshminrusimha, Truog, Carlo, Van Meurs, Carlton, Brion, Shankaran, Yang, Kicklighter, Chess, Higgins.

Conflict of Interest Disclosures: The authors have completed and submitted the ICMJE Form for Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest. Dr Laughon reported receiving grant support from the National Institutes of Health and the US Food and Drug Administration; and personal fees from United Therapeutics. Dr Carlo reported serving as a board director and owning stock in Mednax. Dr Wallace reported the possibililty of receiving future royalties from FocusROP. Dr Chung reported receiving personal fees from Wave Life Sciences, Santeen, and Spark Therapeutics; and grant support from Lowry Medical Research Institute and the National Institutes of Health. No other disclosures were reported.

Funding/Support: Funded by grants U10 HD36790, UG1 HD27904, UG1 HD21364, UG1 HD68284, UG1 HD27853, UG1 HD40492, UG1 HD27851, UG1 HD27856, UG1 HD87229, UG1 HD68278, UG1 HD27880, UG1 HD34216, UG1 HD68270, UG1 HD53109, UG1 HD53089, UG1 HD68244, UG1 HD68263, UG1 HD40689, and UG1 HD21385 from the National Institutes of Health, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and the National Eye Institute and by grants UL1 TR41, UL1 TR42, UL1 TR77, UL1 TR93, UL1 TR442, UL1 TR454, and UL1 TR1117 from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. Abbott Nutrition Division (Abbott Laboratories) provided the myo-inositol.

Role of the Funder/Sponsor: The National Institutes of Health and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development hold the investigational new drug application and staff had input into the design and conduct of the study; but no role in the collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript; and decision to submit the manuscript for publication; however, the program scientist assisted with protocol development, study execution, and agreed to submit the findings for publication. Abbott Nutrition Division had no role in the design and conduct of the study; management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript; and decision to submit the manuscript for publication; however, staff provided onsite monitoring to assist in quality assurance of the data collection. Data were collected at participating sites of the Neonatal Research Network and were transmitted to RTI International (the data coordinating center for the network), which stored, managed, and analyzed the data for this study.

Group Information: The following investigators, in addition to those listed as authors, participated in this study: Richard A. Polin, MD, steering committee chair (Division of Neonatology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University); Martin Keszler, MD, Angelita M. Hensman, MS, RNC-NIC, Michael R. Muller, PharmD, Elisa Vieira, RN, BSN, and Jennifer A. Keller, RN, BSN (Alpert Medical School, Women & Infants’ Hospital, Brown University); Nancy S. Newman, BA, RN, Bonnie S. Siner, RN, Michael Banchy, RPH, Jeffrey L. Blumer, MD, Eileen K. Stork, MD, and Arlene Zadell, RN (Case Western Reserve University, Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital); Eugenia K. Pallotto, MD, MSCE, Howard W. Kilbride, MD, Prabhu S. Parimi, MD, Cheri Gauldin, RN, BSN, CCRC, Lisa Gaetano, MSN, RN, Anne M. Holmes, RN, MSN, MBA-HCM, CCRC, and Allison Knutson, BSN, RNC-NIC (Children’s Mercy Hospital, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Kansas City); Suhas G. Kallapur, MD, Cathy Grisby, BSN, CCRC, Barbara Alexander, RN, Estelle E. Fischer, MHSA, MBA, Lenora Jackson, CRC, Kristin Kirker, CRC, Holly L. Mincey, MS, RN, BSN, Michael E. Gray, MD, and Patricia Cobb, MS (Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, and Good Samaritan Hospital); Ronald N. Goldberg, MD, Kimberley A. Fisher, PhD, FNP-BC, IBCLC, Joanne Finkle, RN, JD, Mary Miller-Bell, PharmD, RPh, Gregory A. Westby, BSPharm, RPh, Chi Dang-Hornik, PharmD, BCPS, Sharon F. Freedman, MD, Sasapin Grace Prakalapakorn, MD, MPH, Matthew M. Laughon, MD, MPH, Carl L. Bose, MD, Janice Bernhardt, MS, RN, Cindy Clark, RN, Diane D. Warner, MD, MPH, Sofia Aliaga, MD, MPH, Kristin Allyne, BSN, RN, Linda Manor, RPh, Jan Niklas Ulrich, MD, Kevin Gertsch, MD, Ginger Rhodes-Ryan, ARNP, MSN, NNP-BC, Jerry Magolan, MD, and Jeffery Board, MD (Duke University School of Medicine, University Hospital, University of North Carolina, Duke Regional Hospital, and WakeMed Health and Hospitals); Barbara J. Stoll, MD, Ellen C. Hale, RN, BS, CCRC, Yvonne Loggins, RN, and Colleen Mackie, BS, RT (Emory University, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Grady Memorial Hospital, and Emory University Hospital Midtown); Stephanie Wilson Archer, MA (Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development); Edward A. Liechty, MD, Dianne E. Herron, RN, CCRC, Annette Head, RPh, and Elizabeth Hynes, RNC-NIC (Indiana University, Riley Hospital for Children and Methodist Hospital at Indiana University Health); Jon E. Tyson, MD, MPH, Amir M. Khan, MD, Julie Arldt-McAlister, MSN, APRN, Shanti Brown, RCPhT, Farida El-Ali, RPH, Carmen Garcia, RN, BSN, Karen Martin, RN, Georgia E. McDavid, RN, Hatice Ozsoy, PhD, RPh, Emily K. Stephens, RN, BSN, Vu Ta, PharmD, Christine Wong, PharmD, and Sharon L. Wright, MT (ASCP) (McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, and Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital); Pablo J. Sánchez, MD, Leif D. Nelin, MD, Sudarshan R. Jadcherla, MD, Patricia Luzader, RN, Christine A. Fortney, PhD, RN, Gail E. Besner, Nehal A. Parikh, MD, David L. Rogers, MD, Richard P. Golden, MD, and Catherine Olson Jordan, MD (Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center); Dennis Wallace, PhD, Marie G. Gantz, PhD, Jeanette O’Donnell Auman, BS, Margaret M. Crawford, BS, CCRP, Jenna Gabrio, BS, CCRP, Carolyn M. Petrie Huitema, MS, CCRP, James W. Pickett II, BS, and Annie M. VonLehmden, BS (RTI International); David K. Stevenson, MD, M. Bethany Ball, BS, CCRC, Steven Chinn, PharmD, and Melinda S. Proud, RCP (Stanford University and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital); Monica V. Collins, RN, BSN, M Ed, Shirley S. Cosby, RN, BSN, Rebecca J. Quinn, PharmD, Brenda Reed Denson, PharmD, and Ann Marie Arciniegas-Bernal, MD (University of Alabama at Birmingham Health System and Children’s Hospital of Alabama); Uday Devaskar, MD, Teresa Chanlaw, MPH, and Rachel Geller, RN, BSN (University of California, Los Angeles, Mattel Children’s Hospital, Santa Monica Hospital, Los Robles Hospital and Medical Center, and Olive View Medical Center); Jane E. Brumbaugh, MD, Karen J. Johnson, RN, BSN, Jacky R. Walker, RN, Claire A. Lindauer, RN, Kristine M. Johnson, BSPharm, RPh, Angela Merriss, BA, CPhT, Joanna L. Nohr, PharmD, BCPS, Susannah Q. Longmuir, MD, Arlene V. Drack, MD, Scott A. Larson, MD, Kevin R. Gertsch, MD, and Vikki P. Bell (University of Iowa); Robin K. Ohls, MD, Conra Backstrom Lacy, RN, Mary Ruffaner Hanson, RN, BSN, Sandra Sundquist Beauman, MSN, RNC, Carol H, Hartenberger, MPH, RN, Nancy A. Morgan, RPh, MBA, and Susan J. Kunkel, PharmD (University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center); Mikko K. Hallman, MD (University of Oulu, and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland); Barbara Schmidt, MD, MSc, Haresh Kirpalani, MB, MSc, Soraya Abbasi, MD, Aasma S. Chaudhary, BS, RRT, Toni Mancini, RN, BSN, CCRC, Monte D. Mills, MD, Stefanie L. Davidson, MD, Gil Binenbaum, MD, MSCE, William V. Anninger, MD, Kenneth Rockwell Jr, PharmD, MS, Mina Ricciardelli, PharmD, and Sze Man Yau, RPh (University of Pennsylvania, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Hospital, and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia); Carl D’Angio, MD, Ronnie Guillet, MD, PhD, Gary D. Markowitz, MD, Stephen A. Bean, PharmD, Melissa F. Carmen, MD, Carol A. Cole, RPh, Ann Marie Turner, PharmD, Anne Marie Reynolds, MD, MPH, Stephanie Guilford, BS, Michael G. Sacilowski, MAT, Holly I. M. Wadkins, MA, Rosemary Jensen, Ashley Williams, MS Ed, Kristin Johnson, BS, PharmD, BCPS, Rajeev S. Ramchandran, MD, Matthew S. Pihlblad, MD, Steven Awner, MD, and Kristin Johnson, BS, PharmD, BCPS (University of Rochester Medical Center, Golisano Children's Hospital, and the University of Buffalo Women's and Children's Hospital of Buffalo); Myra H. Wyckoff, MD, Diana M. Vasil, RNC-NIC, Christine Cha, PharmD, Juana Cisneros, RN, Maria M. De Leon, BSN, RN, Frances Eubanks, BSN, RN, Lynda Godowic, PharmD, RPh, Laura Grau, RN, Helen C. Lira, PharmD, Azadeh Mozaffari, PharmD, RPh, Lara Pavageau, MD, and Reshma Wright, RPh (University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Parkland Health and Hospital System, and Children’s Medical Center Dallas); and Athina Pappas, MD, Beena G. Sood, MD, MS, Rebecca Bara, RN, BSN, Kirsten Childs, RN, BSN, Mary E. Johnson, RN, BSN, Mirjana Lulic-Botica, RPh, and Bogdan Panaitescu, MD (Wayne State University, Hutzel Women’s Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Michigan).

Disclaimer: The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Data Sharing Statement: See Supplement 4.

Additional Contributions: We are indebted to the medical and nursing colleagues and the infants and their parents who agreed to take part in this study. We thank the following members of the data and safety monitoring committee who received compensation: Christine A. Gleason, MD, chair (University of Washington); Marilee C. Allen, MD (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine); Robert J. Boyle, MD (University of Virginia Health System); Traci Clemons, PhD (EMMES Corporation); Mary E. D’Alton, MD (Columbia Ob/Gyn Midtown); Ralph E. Kauffman, MD (University of Missouri, Kansas City, Medical Research Department at Children’s Mercy Hospital); Menachem Miodovnik, MD (Washington Hospital Center); T. Michael O’Shea, MD, MPH (Wake Forest University School of Medicine); Lois Smith, MD (Harvard University Children’s Hospital); and Steven J. Weiner, MS (George Washington University). We also thank the following members of the data and safety monitoring committee who were not compensated: Abhik Das, PhD, ex officio (RTI International); Donald Everett, MA, ex officio (National Eye Institute); and Marian Willinger, PhD, ex officio (Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development). We also acknowledge the BOOST study ROP credentialing site, which allowed Neonatal Research Network ophthalmologists to use its online system to certify their ROP training.