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A survey of high risk factors affecting retinopathy in full-term infants in China
Li-Na Chen1, Xiao-Ping He, Li-Ping Huang
1Department of Ophthalmology, Boai Hospital of Zhongshan, Zhongshan 528000, Guangdong Province, China.
Insights
Prenatal factors like maternal hypertension and neonatal issues such as asphyxia, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, and low birth weight increase retinopathy risk in full-term infants. These factors require careful monitoring for better infant eye health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal ophthalmology
- Perinatal medicine
- Public health
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity is a significant concern in neonatal intensive care.
- Identifying risk factors for retinopathy in full-term infants is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between prenatal and perinatal factors and retinopathy in full-term infants.
- To identify key risk factors for retinopathy development in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 816 full-term infants was studied.
- Fundus examinations were conducted at specific intervals post-delivery.
- Prenatal and neonatal risk factors were recorded and analyzed.
Main Results:
- Maternal prenatal related hypertension (PRH) was associated with a significantly higher incidence of retinal hemorrhage (43.6% vs. 8.0%).
- Neonatal asphyxia and/or hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) also showed a higher incidence of retinal hemorrhage (29.3% vs. 15.7%).
- Low birth weight (<2500g) was significantly linked to a higher incidence of retinopathy (P<0.001).
Conclusions:
- Prenatal factors, specifically PRH, are significant contributors to retinopathy in high-risk full-term infants.
- Neonatal factors including asphyxia, HIE, and low birth weight are critical risk factors for retinopathy.
- Early identification and management of these risk factors are essential for preventing retinopathy in full-term neonates.
Aim:
To investigate the possible relationship between the influencing factors occurring before and during birth in full-term infants and the outcome of retinopathy.
Methods:
Totally 816 full-term infants admitted in the neonate intensive unit of Boai Hospital of Zhongshan between 1 May, 2008 and 30 June, 2011 were included in the study. Fundus examination was performed and evaluated individually on them at the age of 48 hours after delivery, 2 weeks and 1 month. Some possible risk factors happening prenatally or during delivery such as pregnant related hypertension, placenta previa, placental abruption etc, as well as some neonatal risk factors such as neonatal asphyxia, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), low birth weight etc, were recorded and evacuated. Then the effect of the risk factors of full-term infants on retinopathy was studied.
Results:
The incidence of retinal hemorrhage of full-term infants with prenatal pregnant related hypertension (PRH) of the mother (43.6%) was significantly higher than that of full-term infants without (8.0%). (P<0.001). The incidence of retinal hemorrhage of full-term infants with neonatal asphyxia and /or hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)(29.3%) was significantly higher than that of those without (15.7%), but correlation was not found between the severity of retina hemorrhage and the degree of hypoxic disease. A pale color of optic disc was associated with a low birth weight of full-term infant. Full-term infants with birth weigh less than 2500g had a significant higher incidence of retinopathy than those with birth weight equal or more than 2500g ( P<0.001).
Conclusion:
The main influencing factors which lead to retinopathy of high risk full-term infants are prenatal factors such as PRH, and some neonatal risk factors such as asphyxia, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, and low birth weight.
