Incidence of retinal hemorrhages in full-term newborn babies in a tertiary care hospital in India

Abstract

Context: Neonatal retinal hemorrhage (RH) is a condition occurring in newborns within 1 month of birth. Long-standing, dense hemorrhages obscuring the macula may lead to severe vision deprivation amblyopia. Aims: This study aimed to estimate the incidence of retinal hemorrhages (RHs) in full-term newborn babies in a medical college tertiary care hospital over a period of 1 year and to determine the association between RH and the mode of delivery. Settings and Design: This was a prospective observational study. Subjects and Methods: Screening was done in 469 full-term newborn babies within a week of delivery. Pupils were dilated with 0.4% tropicamide and 2.5% phenylephrine. Retinal evaluation was done with indirect ophthalmoscope and 20D lens. Statistical Analysis Used: Data analysis was done using SPSS software version 21. Chi-square test was used to assess the association between sex of the baby, mode of delivery, birth weight, and RH. P 2.5 kg had a higher incidence of RH (6.3%). There was no significant association between sex and RH. Conclusion: The incidence of RH in newborn babies was found to be 5.8%. Incidence of RH was found to be high among vacuum-assisted delivery followed by spontaneous vaginal delivery. Babies weighing >2.5 kg had a higher incidence of RH. By 2 weeks after birth, RH resolved in 96.29% of eyes.

Keywords

• full-term newborn
• mode of delivery
• retinal hemorrhage