Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 25, 2026
Transcutaneous Microcirculatory Imaging in Preterm Neonates
Published on: December 31, 2015
The analysis of posterior segment findings in term and premature infants using RetCam images
Huseyin Gursoy1, Mustafa Deger Bilgec2, Nazmiye Erol2
1Department of Ophthalmology, Eskisehir Osmangazi University Medical Faculty, Meselik, Eskisehir, Turkey. hhgursoy@hotmail.com.
Insights
Many infants have posterior segment disorders beyond retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), often in term babies. Routine newborn eye screening is recommended for early detection of these conditions.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pediatric Imaging
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a significant cause of vision impairment in premature infants.
- However, other posterior segment pathologies can also affect newborns, including term infants.
- Understanding the spectrum of these conditions is crucial for timely diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze and categorize posterior segment findings in both term and premature infants using RetCam imaging data.
- To compare the characteristics and treatment rates of infants with ROP versus those with other posterior segment disorders.
Main Methods:
- RetCam images from infants born between 2012 and 2015 were retrospectively reviewed.
- Infants were divided into two groups: Group 1 (other posterior segment findings) and Group 2 (mild-to-severe ROP).
- Baseline characteristics, anterior segment findings, and treatment percentages were compared between groups.
Main Results:
- Out of 3440 infants, 331 (9.6%) were included. Group 1 (n=75) diagnoses included retinal hemorrhages (26), optic nerve pathologies (14), and metabolic disease findings (6).
- Group 1 infants had significantly higher mean birth weight (2481.9g) and gestational age (35.9 weeks) compared to Group 2 (1090.5g, 28.2 weeks) (p < 0.001).
- Treatment was required for 13/75 (17.3%) in Group 1 and 124/256 (48.4%) in Group 2 (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- A substantial proportion of infants present with posterior segment disorders other than ROP, predominantly in term infants.
- These findings underscore the importance of comprehensive retinal screening beyond ROP assessment.
- Routine fundus screening in all newborns is suggested to detect a wider range of posterior segment pathologies.
Objective:
To analyze posterior segment findings in term and premature infants using the RetCam image database.
Methods:
RetCam images taken of infants born between January 2012 and December 2015 were reviewed. Group 1 included infants with posterior segment findings other than retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Group 2 included infants with mild-to-severe ROP. The baseline characteristics, anterior segment findings, and percentage of infants who received treatment were compared among the 2 groups.
Results:
In total, 331 out of 3440 infants (9.6%) were included. The major diagnoses in group 1 (n = 75) were retinal hemorrhages in 26, optic nerve pathologies in 14, findings associated with a metabolic disease in 6, ocular tumors in 5, persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous in 4, and familial exudative vitreoretinopathy in 4 cases. The mean birth weight (g) (2481.9 ± 700.5 in group 1 vs 1090.5 ± 330.9 in group 2), gestational age (weeks) (35.9 ± 3.4 in group 1 vs 28.2 ± 2.4 in group 2), and postmenstrual age at initial examination (35.9 ± 3.4 in group 1 vs 28.2 ± 2.4 in group 2) were significantly different among the 2 groups (p < 0.001). Thirteen out of 75 cases in group 1 and 124 out of 256 ROP cases received therapy (p < 0.001). Anterior segment pathologies were found in 13.3% of group 1 versus 7.8% of group 2 infants (p = 0.216).
Conclusions:
A considerable number of infants suffered from posterior segment disorders other than ROP. The majority of these infants were term babies. Routine fundus screening may be recommended in all newborns to diagnose all posterior segment pathologies other than ROP.
