Abstract
Purpose This study aimed to determine the proportion and types of ocular abnormalities detected in healthy term newborns and also the risk factors associated with retinal haemorrhages. Method This cross-sectional study comprised of 203 participants, all healthy term newborn infants in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology ward at Hospital Kuala Lumpur over a six months period. The examination list includes external eye examination, red reflex test, and fundus imaging using a wide-field digital retinal imaging system (Phoenix Clinical ICON Paediatric Retinal Camera) by a trained Investigator. The pathologies detected were documented. The results were compared with similar studies previously published in the literature. Results Total ocular abnormalities were detected in 34% infants. The most common finding was retinal haemorrhage in 29.6% infants, of which 53.3% occurred bilaterally. Spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD) remained the greatest risk factor which has nearly four times higher risk of newborns developing retinal haemorrhage compared to Lower Segment Caesarean Section (LSCS). There was a 6% increased likelihood of developing retinal haemorrhage for every 1 minute increment in the duration of 2nd stage of labour. Newborns delivered via SVD with episiotomy had 2.5 higher odds of developing retinal haemorrhage in newborns compared to SVD without episiotomy. Conclusion Universal eye screening for all newborns using a wide-field digital imaging system is possible, safe and useful in detecting posterior segment disorders. The most common abnormality detected is retinal haemorrhage. Although most resolve spontaneously, a longitudinal study is needed to study the long term effect of retinal haemorrhages in these infants.
Universal ocular screening of 481 infants using wide-field digital imaging system
