Retinal Hemorrhages in a Neonate following Vacuum Extraction

A full-term male neonate with birth weight of 2,760 grams was noted to have an absent red reflex and was referred for retinal examination eleven days after birth. Prior to examination, the infant’s birth history was recovered from his hospital records. An ophthalmologist examined the patient and found the anterior segment and vitreous body to be completely normal. Fundus examination was performed by indirect ophthalmoscopy using a 20D lens, and scattered retinal and foveal hemorrhages were detected in both eyes. The fundus was photographed (Figures 1 and 2) using a RetCam 120 Shuttle (Clarity Medical Systems, Pleasanton, CA, USA). Ultrasonography revealed caput succedaneum. The ophthalmologist decided that no therapeutic intervention was necessary, allowing time for the retinal hemorrhages to resolve. Five weeks after the initial examination, the infant’s hemorrhages resolved.