Neonatal Screening for Leukocoria

Authors

  • Sana Nadeem, B. A. Naeem, Parveen Akhtar, Mariam Farooq

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36351/pjo.v30i4.207

Abstract

Purpose: To incorporate distant direct ophthalmoscopy for red reflex analysis to
screen neonates for leukocoria and establish its importance.
Material and Methods: A prospective study was conducted at Department of
Pediatrics, Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi, from February 2013 to
September 2013. A total of 500 random neonates (newborns less than 28 days
of age) were screened for leukocoria by distant direct ophthalmoscopy at 50 cm
by means of a direct ophthalmoscope in dark conditions. The red reflex was
compared between the two eyes and was classified into five categories: Red,
orange, yellow, suspect / faint, and absent / leukocoria. The red reflex was
compared to the gestational age, birth weight, oxygen therapy, phototherapy,
and blood transfusion.
Results: The results were tabulated and analyzed using SPSS version 17. The
red reflex was analyzed and compared with neonatal variables (weight,
gestational age, use of oxygen therapy, phototherapy and blood transfusion).
The red reflex was found to be normal shades of red or orange in 495 neonates
(990 eyes), with orange being predominant in 786 (78.6%) eyes, red in 204
(20.4%), yellow in 4 (0.4%), suspect / faint in 4 (0.4%), and absent / leukocoria in
2 (0.2%) eyes. Statistically significant association of the red reflex was found
with oxygen therapy only (p = 0.000).
Conclusion: Neonatal screening for red reflex assessment with distant direct
ophthalmoscopy is essential for the early diagnosis and prompt management of
ocular diseases causing leukocoria, which will subsequently prevent irreversible
blindness, which is bound to occur if the diagnosis is delayed. Hence the
importance of routine neonatal screening cannot be overemphasized.
Key words: Neonatal, Red reflex analysis, Leukocoria

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Published

31-12-2014

How to Cite

1.
Parveen Akhtar, Mariam Farooq SNBAN. Neonatal Screening for Leukocoria. pak J Ophthalmol [Internet]. 2014 Dec. 31 [cited 2024 Mar. 29];30(4). Available from: https://pjo.org.pk/index.php/pjo/article/view/207

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Section

Review Articles