The eye in child abuse: key points on retinal hemorrhages and abusive head trauma.
Publication/Presentation Date
12-1-2014
Abstract
This review presents an up-to-date overview of ocular injuries resulting from child abuse, with a spotlight on abusive head trauma. Retinal hemorrhage is a principle finding of inflicted head trauma. The specific pattern of hemorrhages holds valuable diagnostic information, which can help to guide multidisciplinary assessments of the likelihood of abuse. Indirect ophthalmoscopy through dilated pupils by an ophthalmologist is necessary for adequate examination and documentation of retinal findings. Initial pediatrician evaluation of the eye and indications for ophthalmological consultation are reviewed. Focus is then placed upon understanding retinal hemorrhage patterns, their diagnostic significance and likely pathophysiological mechanisms. The differential diagnosis of retinal hemorrhage in young children is discussed, highlighting key distinctions among retinal hemorrhage patterns, severity and frequencies, as well as other ocular findings. The most common cause of retinal hemorrhage in an infant is trauma, and most other causes can be identified by considering the hemorrhage pattern, ocular or systemic signs and the results of laboratory and imaging tests, when indicated.
Volume
44 Suppl 4
First Page
571
Last Page
577
ISSN
1432-1998
Published In/Presented At
Binenbaum, G., & Forbes, B. J. (2014). The eye in child abuse: key points on retinal hemorrhages and abusive head trauma. Pediatric radiology, 44 Suppl 4, S571–S577. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-014-3107-9
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences | Pediatrics
PubMedID
25501729
Department(s)
Department of Pediatrics
Document Type
Article