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Analysis of full-term neonatal eye disease screening results and trends from 2016 to 2023
Qicheng Xu1, Lei Chen1, Wenjie Wu1
1Department of Ophthalmology, CiXi Maternity&Child Health Care Hospital, No. 1288 Erzaotan Road, Baishalu Subdistrict, Cixi City, Zhejiang, 315302, People's Republic of China.
Insights
Neonatal eye screenings reveal declining rates of common eye diseases, including retinal hemorrhage and pigment abnormalities, in full-term infants. Vaginal delivery is linked to increased risk of retinal hemorrhages and exudates.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neonatal Care
- Public Health
Background:
- Neonatal eye diseases pose a significant risk to infant vision.
- Understanding the trends and risk factors for these conditions is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the incidence and trends of common eye diseases in full-term neonates screened between 2016 and 2023.
- To identify risk factors associated with specific neonatal eye conditions.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 17,378 full-term neonates.
- Statistical analysis including Joinpoint regression to assess trends (Average Annual Percent Change - AAPC).
- Comparison of disease incidence based on delivery method.
Main Results:
- Overall abnormal eye screening rate declined by 6.9% annually (AAPC = -6.9%).
- Retinal hemorrhage (AAPC = -3.2%) and pigment abnormalities (AAPC = -25.4%) showed significant declining trends.
- Vaginal delivery was associated with higher rates of retinal hemorrhage and exudates. Cytomegalovirus infection showed a strong association with retinal exudation.
Conclusions:
- The incidence of fundus lesions in full-term neonates is decreasing.
- Vaginal delivery is a risk factor for specific neonatal eye conditions.
- Early detection and intervention strategies for neonatal eye diseases should consider delivery method and potential infections.
Abstract:
To analyze the results and trends of common eye diseases from full-term neonatal eye screenings conducted between 2016 and 2023. A retrospective study was conducted on 17,378 full-term neonates screened for eye diseases at CiXi Maternity&Child Health Care Hospital from January 2016 to December 2023. Statistical analysis and Joinpoint regression were used to assess trends in eye disease incidence, measured by the Average Annual Percent Change (AAPC). Among 17,378 full-term neonates, 5,986 (34.45%) had abnormal eye screening results: Retinal hemorrhage (3,274 cases, 18.84%), white spots (1,440 cases, 8.29%), exudates (943 cases, 5.43%), pigment abnormalities (437 cases, 2.51%), and lesions resembling Familial Exudative Vitreoretinopathy (FEVR-like) (228 cases, 1.31%). Retinal hemorrhage (χ² = 1840.390, P = 0.000) and exudates (χ² = 10.488, P = 0.001) were more common in neonates born via vaginal delivery. From 2016 to 2023, the overall abnormality rate declined (AAPC = -6.9%, 95% CI: -12.1% to -1.5%, P = 0.0211). Trends included: Retinal hemorrhage (AAPC = -3.2%, 95% CI: -6.4% to 0.0%, P = 0.0499) and pigment abnormalities (AAPC = -25.4%, 95% CI: -42.8% to -3.0%, P = 0.0342). Other retinal abnormalities showed no significant trends (all P > 0.05). Eye disease due to fundus lesions From 2016 to 2023, The overall incidence of fundus lesions in full-term neonates showed a declining trend. Vaginal delivery is a risk factor for retinal hemorrhages and retinal exudation in full-term neonates. We found a strong association between cytomegalovirus infection and retinal exudation.
