Retinal hemorrhages in term newborns – Our experience at tertiary centre

Background: There are very few previous studies regarding ocular screening done in term neonates. Retinal hemorrhages can occur in babies during delivery. Aims: To evaluate the correlation of retinal findings with the duration of second stage of labor in term neonates and mode of delivery. Settings and Design: This was a cross-sectional, observational study done on term newborns in a tertiary care centre. Convenience sampling was done. Subjects and Methods: Neonates were examined in the postnatal ward using handheld slit lamp and indirect ophthalmoscope. Fundus examination was done after dilating the pupils with 0.5% tropicamide and 2.5% phenylephrine eyedrops. Second stage of labor and mode of delivery were noted. Chi-square test and independent sample t-test were used to analyze the data. Results: One hundred and fifty infants were screened, of which 75 (50%) had retinal hemorrhages. Chi-square test showed statistical significance with duration of second stage of labor and occurrence of retinal hemorrhages (P < 0.001). Patients with second stage of labor shorter than 30 minutes of duration were found to have more chances of having retinal hemorrhages. Independent sample t-test used for association between mode of delivery and retinal hemorrhages showed patients born of normal vaginal delivery to have more chances of having hemorrhages (P = 0.006). Chi-square test showed statistical significant association with the presence of hemorrhages and day of evaluation (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Retinal hemorrhages were found to be common in full-term babies whose second stage of delivery was shorter than 30 minutes of duration.