Socioeconomic Demographics and Qualities of Retinal Hemorrhages in Patients With Non-accidental Trauma

To evaluate the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and type of retinal hemorrhages in patients with non-accidental trauma.

Medical charts of patients with International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems codes corresponding to non-accidental trauma and retinal hemorrhage at one institution in Washington, DC, from 2010 to 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic information including race and ethnicity, age, sex, and insurance coverage were recorded. Retinal hemorrhage characteristics (including the layer depth and the extension of hemorrhage), and follow-up visual acuity data were collected.

The study found that patients with deep or subretinal hemorrhages were more likely to have Medicaid insurance than those with preretinal hemorrhages (P = .049). Patients with hemorrhages extending to the periphery and ora serrata were younger than those with hemorrhages concentrated around the disc (P = .018). The duration of time before the first follow-up visit was significantly longer for Hispanic/Latino/Spanish patients, and the duration of time to the second follow-up visit was significantly longer for patients who had Medicaid.

To the authors' knowledge, there have been no previous studies discerning correlative factors for pediatric patients with non-accidental trauma who have severe retinal hemorrhage. The significant associations between Medicaid insurance and young age with more severe retinal hemorrhages may provide insight to help establish priorities for interventions to reduce non-accidental trauma events in these demographic groups.