Retinal hemorrhages in newborn--fetal causative factors.

Two hundred and eight alive newborns examined within 2 hours of birth showed 37.50% incidence of retinal hemorrhage (RH). Out of these, 38.59% were full term and 29.17% were preterm. Head circumference had a significant correlation (p less than 0.05) with retinal hemorrhage, while sex of the newborn, birth weight, gestational age and fetal distress showed no significant correlation. Birth injuries especially ocular and periocular injuries showed a significantly higher incidence of retinal hemorrhage (83.33%).