Analysis of differences in screening results of neonatal ophthalmopathy between Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Mother-infant Room Ward

Abstract

Objective: To compare and analyze the differences in the results of neonatal ocular diseases screening in the Intensive Care Unit, and the Mother-infant ward in the same room of a general hospital. Methods: The eye screening data of newborns were collected in Zhongshan City People's Hospital, from December 2018 to December 2021, using a digital wide-field fundus imaging system (RetCam3). The neonates were divided into Neonatal Intensive Care Unit group (NICU) and Mother-infant Ward group (Control Group) according to the ward in which the neonates were located. The differences in the results between the two groups were analyzed in the same manner. Results: A total of 7239 neonates completed eye examinations, of which 1200 (16.58%) had abnormal eyes. In the Control Group 5481 cases were screened. The result showed that 1000 cases (18.24%) with ocular abnormalities; 976 cases (17.80%) with retinal hemorrhage; and 24 cases (0.44%) with other abnormalities. 1758 cases in the NICU group were screened. Out of which 200 cases with ocular abnormalities (11.37%), 165 cases (9.38%) of retinal hemorrhage, 19 cases (1.10%) of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), 6 cases of ROP were treated with intravitreal injection, and 16 cases (0.91%) of other abnormalities. Conclusion: The rate of retinal hemorrhage was significantly lower in the NICU group than in the Control Group, but other congenital ocular abnormalities accounted for greater proportion of children in the NICU group. General newborn screening is conducive to the early detection and treatment of various eye diseases, reducing the missed diagnosis of eye diseases. For high-risk neonates in the NICU group, eye disease screening is more imperative.