Retinal haemorrhages in newborn infants.

Although neonatal retinal haemorrhage is a common pathological finding in about 20 per cent. of newborn infants, the cause of this condition is still not well understood. Jager (i86i) is generally accepted as the first author to have reported the condition. Estimates of its incidence have varied from 2 -6 to 50 per cent. (Duke-Elder and Dobree, I967). Chace, Mlerritt, and Bellows (1950), in a study of more than i,ooo newborn infants, found retinal haemorrhages in 2 -6 per cent.; Belmonte Gonzalez (I 947) in 27-4 per cent. of I24; Cavrot (1956) in 20 per cent. of 42I; Kauffman (I958) in I8-2 per cent. of 7,727; Giles (I960) in 40 per cent. of IOO infants. The types of retinal haemorrhage have been described by many authors, including Mezey (1952) and Schenker and Gombos (I966). They were classified by Richman (1938) into four groups: