Year-end Sale % OFF 
Abstract
To report the prevalence, related factors, and characteristics of birth-related retinal hemorrhages (RHs) according to their severity in healthy newborns using a telemedicine network and wide-field digital retinal imaging (WFDRI). Newborns who underwent WFDRI at 61 obstetrics/gynecology hospitals between January 2017 and December 2019 were enrolled. Demographics and related factors were compared among newborns with and without RHs. The newborns' eyes were divided into the minimal, mild, moderate, and severe groups according to the number of RHs, and characteristics like bilaterality, laterality, involved retinal layer, involved zone, macular and/or optic nerve (ON) involvement were compared. Among 56247 newborns, 13026 had birth-related RHs (23.2%). Normal spontaneous vaginal delivery (NSVD) showed the highest association with RHs (odds ratio, 19.774; 95% confidence interval, 18.277-21.393; P < 0.001) on multivariate analysis. Bilateral RHs (8414/13026; 64.59%) were more common than unilateral RHs (4612/13026; 35.41%); however, unilateral RHs (2383/4217; 56.51%) were more common than bilateral RHs (1834/4217; 43.49%) in the minimal group. RHs showed no laterality differences between the two eyes (P = 0.493). Most RHs were intraretinal (18678/21440; 87.12%), and 2328 (31.65%) eyes with preretinal hemorrhage were observed in the severe group. Zone I RHs were common in the minimal (7072/7090; 99.75%), mild (4953/4960; 99.86%), and moderate (2013/2035; 98.92%) groups; zone I and II RHs were common in the severe group (4843/7355; 65.85%); and RHs in zone III were rare (7/21440; 0.03%). Most RHs showed no macular and/or ON involvement in the minimal and mild group; however, this was common in the severe group (7111/7355; 96.68%). Birth-related RHs were common in healthy newborns and were significantly associated with NSVD. RHs were usually bilateral, intraretinal, and distributed posterior to the retina, but severe RHs had unique characteristics. Future long-term and longitudinal studies are required to elucidate the prognosis of severe RHs.
Highlights
Birth-related retinal hemorrhages (RHs) are known to occur in healthy newborns [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12]
Normal spontaneous vaginal delivery (NSVD) showed the highest association with RHs on multivariate analysis
Most RHs were intraretinal (18678/21440; 87.12%), and 2328 (31.65%) eyes with preretinal hemorrhage were observed in the severe group
Summary
Birth-related retinal hemorrhages (RHs) are known to occur in healthy newborns [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12] The characteristics of these RHs have been reported by many researchers, but these vary widely and are inconclusive [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12]. A study by Callaway et al [5] reported that most RHs were multilayered and involved the peripheral retina These discrepancies may be due to the wide clinical spectrum of birth-related RHs, differences in the age at examination, and varying examination methods used in each study [5, 8, 9, 11,12,13]. Investigating the characteristics of RHs according to severity will be meaningful
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
