Abstract
Purpose :
To report the characteristics of birth-related retinal hemorrhages in newborns.
Methods :
Healthy newborns born in South Korea from June 2012 to March 2017 were offered universal eye screening test. The retinal fundus examinations were performed using wide-field digital imaging system. All retinal images were reviewed and the pattern, size, extent and severity of the retinal hemorrhages were recorded by 1 pediatric ophthalmologist.
Results :
A total of 55,901 healthy newborns underwent eye examination and birth-related retinal hemorrhages (BRRHs) were detected in 14,668 cases 26,307eyes (26.24%). Macula and optic nerve were involved in 47.2%, 10.2% involved beyond Zone 1, and 6.0% involved multilayers of retina. Vitreous hemorrhages were found in 0.84%. Roth spots were found in 34.1% and it is closely related to size and number of hemorrhage spots (p<0.01) and 24.18% had severe retinal hemorrhages and follow-up examinations were required. The most related risk factor of BRRHs was vaginal delivery compared to cesarean section (odd ratio, 12.2).
Conclusions :
Birth-related retinal hemorrhages(BRRHs) are common and known to be benign in most cases. However, they often involve macula, optic nerve and multilayers of retina and vitreous hemorrhages can be accompanied. Therefore, close observation may be necessary in severe cases.
Our study showed that a significant number of healthy newborns exhibit retinal hemorrhages and the prevalence was 26.24%. The majority of cases were intraretinal and limited in Zone I. But in some cases, macula, optic nerve and multilayers of retina were involved and vitreous hemorrhages can be found. Therefore, in cases with severe retinal hemorrhages and persistent hemorrhages, additional examinations will be needed on the possibilities of amblyopia and possible toxic effect on the retina
Background statement: To report prevalence and characteristics of birth-related retinal hemorrhages
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2018 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Honolulu, Hawaii, April 29 - May 3, 2018.