Unilateral ischemic retinopathy following traumatic intubation mimicking retinopathy of prematurity in a preterm newborn.

Journal: Journal Of AAPOS : The Official Publication Of The American Association For Pediatric Ophthalmology And Strabismus
Published:
Abstract

A preterm child, born at 24 weeks' postmenstrual age (PMA), suffered a traumatic nasotracheal intubation at birth, with exteriorization of the tube through the right orbit. Delayed routine screening for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) at 34 weeks' PMA revealed a right ischemic retinopathy. Right eye fundus examination at 39 weeks' PMA showed a neovascularized ridge delimiting the vascular retina from an avascular zone over 360°, with localized fibrosis and traction in the right eye, mimicking a zone II stage 3-4 ROP. The left fundus was normal. We suggest that the traumatic ocular contusion stunned the physiological vascularization process of the premature eye leading to permanent retinal sequalae.

Relevant Conditions

Retinopathy of Prematurity