Retinopathy of prematurity-mimicking retinopathy in full-term babies

The purpose of this study was to analyze the fundus findings and associated abnormalities in full-term babies with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)-mimicking retinopathy. In twenty-seven such babies suffering from this condition, retinal findings were retrospectively analyzed. These babies were not premature and had not required supplementary oxygen; there was no family history of the disease, and no known causes. Bilaterality and severity of retinopathy were compared between groups with associated systemic abnormalities and those without. Forty eyes in twenty-seven full-term babies had abnormal retinal findings; dragged retina accounted for 42.5%, and falciform retinal fold for 47.5%, and retrolental membrane for 10%. Nine babies had associated brain abnormalities, and in these, severe bilateral retinopathy was more likely to occur than in those without abnormalities. These results suggest that if full-term babies have associated abnormalities of the brain, the presence of retinopathy should be ascertained postnatally by cautious examination of the retina.