Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: A prospective study to assess the impact of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) screening examination on cardio–respiratory indices as a measure of distress. Comparison was made between between two commonly used modalities: digital fundus camera (Retcam) and conventional indirect ophthalmoscopy. Methods: 97 preterm infants undergoing ROP screening on 157 examination sessions were included. 31 (54 examinations) underwent indirect ophthalmoscopy, while 66 (123 examinations) underwent Retcam examination. Heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation (SpO2), respiratory rate (RR) and blood pressure (BP) were recorded prior to, at the end of, and 1 hour subsequent to examination. Race, birthweight, sex, twin status, duration of exam, gestational and post–conceptual age were recorded. Results: ROP screening examination was associated with significant increase in HR, BP and significant decrease in SpO2 in both groups (p<0.001). The increase in HR and RR was significantly higher in the indirect ophthalmoscopy group compared to Retcam group (p<0.01). No changes remained significant at 1 hour post examination. Retcam examination took significantly longer. (p<0.001). Conclusions: Examination of infants with the Retcam is associated with a lower stress related response than conventional indirect ophthalmoscopy.
Keywords: retinopathy of prematurity • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: systems/equipment/techniques • imaging/image analysis: clinical