Do retinal haemorrhages occur in infants with convulsions?
- 1Pediatrics Department, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
- 2Ophthalmology Department, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
- 3Neurology Department, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence to Dr Ana Isabel Curcoy, Passeig Sant Joan de Déu, 2, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain; acurcoy{at}hsjdbcn.org
- Accepted 4 July 2009
- Published Online First 6 August 2009
Abstract
Aim: To determine the prevalence of retinal haemorrhages in infants presenting with convulsions and admitted to hospital, and to consider whether this finding indicates shaken baby syndrome.
Methods: Prospective study of children aged 15 days to 2 years admitted with a diagnosis of first convulsion over a 2-year period (May 2004–May 2006). All infants were examined by an experienced ophthalmologist using indirect ophthalmoscopy within 72 h of admission.
Results: 182 of 389 children seen in the accident and emergency department were admitted and two were found to have retinal haemorrhages. Both children were eventually diagnosed as being abused.
Conclusions: Convulsions alone are unlikely to cause retinal haemorrhages in children under 2 years of age.
Footnotes
-
Competing interests None.
-
Provenance and Peer review not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.
