Retinal haemorrhage rates and resolution time of retinal haemorrhage in newborns after hypothermic treatment for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate retinal hemorrhages (RHs) in newborns after therapeutic hypothermia performed for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). From 2014 January to October 2016, full-term newborns who were referred to us from the neonatal intensive care unit at our hospital for ophthalmological examination were evaluated retrospectively. Neonates diagnosed with HIE were examined with a RetCam Digital Retinal Camera (Massie Research Laboratories Inc., Pleasanton, CA) using a 130-degree or binocular indirect ophthalmoscope (Heine, Herrsching, Germany) imaging tool and were classified into three groups. Group 1 included patients without HIE, group 2 included patients with stage I HIE, and group 3 included patients with stage II or III HIE. The RH rates in cases of HIE were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 148 eyes of 74 patients were included in the study. RH was detected in 36 eyes (24.3%); there were two eyes (3.7%), 14 eyes (20.6%), and 20 eyes (76.9%), in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. In group 3, RH was mostly seen in a widespread form. RHs involving the macula were resorbed later than haemorrhages in other locations. RHs are frequent in neonates with HIE. RHs were seen significantly more frequently in stage II-III HIE. These haemorrhages may require treatment, especially when the macula is involved.

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