Biomaterial Database

Examination of the premature infant. 1979

R E Kalina

Ophthalmoscopic examination of the premature infant requires binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy, use of an eyelid speculum, and wide pupillary dilatation. Normal and pathologic features unique to the infant eye often are encountered. Familiarity with these features is essential for accurate diagnosis and prevention of unnecessary therapeutic intervention. Supplemental oxygen is the mainstay of supportive therapy for idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome, a common cause for morbidity in premature infants. Arterial oxygen monitoring is essential for survival and for prevention of retrolental fibroplasia, but precise arterial oxygen levels associated with development of retrolental fibroplasia have not been established.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007231	Infant, Newborn	An infant during the first 28 days after birth.	Neonate,Newborns,Infants, Newborn,Neonates,Newborn,Newborn Infant,Newborn Infants
D007234	Infant, Premature	A human infant born before 37 weeks of GESTATION.	Neonatal Prematurity,Premature Infants,Preterm Infants,Infant, Preterm,Infants, Premature,Infants, Preterm,Premature Infant,Prematurity, Neonatal,Preterm Infant
D009184	Mydriatics	Agents that dilate the pupil. They may be either sympathomimetics or parasympatholytics.	Cycloplegic,Cycloplegics,Mydriatic,Mydriatic Effect,Mydriatic Effects,Effect, Mydriatic,Effects, Mydriatic
D009887	Ophthalmoscopy	Examination of the interior of the eye with an ophthalmoscope.	Ophthalmoscopies
D010100	Oxygen	An element with atomic symbol O, atomic number 8, and atomic weight [15.99903; 15.99977]. It is the most abundant element on earth and essential for respiration.	Dioxygen,Oxygen-16,Oxygen 16
D012127	Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn	A condition of the newborn marked by DYSPNEA with CYANOSIS, heralded by such prodromal signs as dilatation of the alae nasi, expiratory grunt, and retraction of the suprasternal notch or costal margins, mostly frequently occurring in premature infants, children of diabetic mothers, and infants delivered by cesarean section, and sometimes with no apparent predisposing cause.	Infantile Respiratory Distress Syndrome,Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome,Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Infant
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012178	Retinopathy of Prematurity	A bilateral retinopathy occurring in premature infants treated with excessively high concentrations of oxygen, characterized by vascular dilatation, proliferation, and tortuosity, edema, and retinal detachment, with ultimate conversion of the retina into a fibrous mass that can be seen as a dense retrolental membrane. Usually growth of the eye is arrested and may result in microophthalmia, and blindness may occur. (Dorland, 27th ed)	Retrolental Fibroplasia,Fibroplasia, Retrolental,Fibroplasias, Retrolental,Prematurity Retinopathies,Prematurity Retinopathy,Retrolental Fibroplasias
D019721	Ophthalmoscopes	Devices for examining the interior of the eye, permitting the clear visualization of the structures of the eye at any depth. (UMDNS, 1999)	Funduscopes,Funduscope,Ophthalmoscope