Purpose The aim of the present study was to investigate the healthy newborns’ stress responses to the eye screening examination by digital imaging with Retcam, which is used to screen retinopathy, to assess retinal hemorrhage, and to measure the diameters of retinal arteries and venues in newborns.
Methods The eye screening examination by digital imaging with Retcam were performed in 69 healthy newborns who were 2 to 4 days old. The heart rate, respiration, and oxygenation were recorded at 4 time point before, during or after the examination. Phase 1 was 5 minutes before the eye examination. Phase 2 was when the camera lens was just placed on the first eye’s cornea. Phase 3 was when the camera lens was switched to the second eye. Phase 4 was 5 minutes after the procedure.
Results Intraretinal hemorrhage was present in 22% of newborn. During the eye examinations, the heart rates increased but recovered 5 minutes after the exam. The respiratory rates increased until 5 minutes after the examination. The oxygen saturation levels were lower during the exam but higher at 5 minutes after the examination compared with those at before the examination.
Conclusion Healthy newborns showed stress responses to the eye screening examination by digital imaging with Retcam as measured by recordings of heart rate, respiration, and oxygenation. The heart rate and oxygenation recovered soon after the end of the examination. |
