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Corneal Epithelial Abrasion with Ocular Burr As a Model for Cornea Wound Healing
Published on: July 10, 2018
Corneal abrasions in young infants.
Timothy R Shope1, Thomas S Rieg, Nazima N Kathiria
1Department of Pediatrics, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, 620 John Paul Jones Circle, Portsmouth, VA 23708, USA. timothy.shope@med.navy.mil
Pediatrics
|February 10, 2010
Summary
Corneal abrasions are common in young infants, affecting nearly half of those studied. While not linked to fingernail length or crying, abrasions may be associated with increased sleep duration in infants.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatrics
- Neonatology
Background:
- Corneal abrasions are a common pediatric concern.
- Understanding their prevalence and associated factors in infants is crucial for appropriate clinical management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of corneal abrasions in infants aged 1 to 12 weeks.
- To investigate potential associations between corneal abrasions and fingernail length, demographics, sleep patterns, and crying behavior.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire was administered to parents of infants presenting for well-child visits.
- Fingernail length was measured, and eye examinations were performed using fluorescein staining and specialized lighting.
- Logistic regression analysis was used to identify associations with corneal abrasions.
Main Results:
- Nearly half (49%) of the 96 infants studied had corneal abrasions.
- No significant associations were found with demographic variables, crying duration, fingernail trimming, or fingernail length.
- Infants with corneal abrasions showed a trend towards sleeping more hours.
Conclusions:
- Corneal abrasions are highly prevalent in young infants but their clinical significance remains unclear.
- Physicians should exercise caution when attributing unexplained crying to corneal abrasions, as this may mask other serious conditions.
