RISK FACTORS CAUSING CHANGES TO THE EYE FUNDUS OF NEWBORN INFANTS

Abstract

This article studies changes in the eye fundus of newborn infants in the form of retinal haemorrhages and retinal ischemic changes. Labour and delivery histories of different women were analysed, and 423 infants were examined during the first three days of their lives. The infants were subjected to direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy during mydriasis medicamentosus. Factors that can influence the occurrence of retinal haemorrhages in newborn infants were studied, such as the mother’s age, the course of gestation, the pattern of labour, the position and presentation of the foetus, the length of labour, the child’s sex and weight. It has been established that retinal haemorrhages and ischemic injuries are typical of one third of newborn infants (32.2±2.3%). It has been proved that factors influencing (p<0.001) the development of retinal haemorrhages and ischemic changes in newborn infants are the child’s sex, the mother’s age (over 25 years old), anaemia of pregnancy, a long latency period, cord entanglement, primiparity.