oxygen toxicity

In medicine, the ability of excess oxygen to cause cell and organ damage. The concentration and length of administration of oxygen for medical reasons must be controlled to avoid this. In adults, an excess of oxygen results in the accumulation of fluid in the lungs (oedema) and pulmonary hypertension. In neonates, it can cause convulsions that result in damage to the central nervous system. Free radical formation appears to be responsible for this damage.