Purpose: To identify the main ocular diseases in a neonate population attended by the "Sistema Único de Saúde" in reference maternities of Pernambuco State, advising the follow-up and necessary treatment. Methods: A transversal study was done among newborn infants in three public maternities, during the period of April to October 2000. An ophthalmological examination was performed during weekly visits, advising the follow-up and treatment of the cases with ocular alterations or risk factors. Results: 3280 newborns were examined: 1403 (42.8%) in the Encruzilhada maternity (CISAM), 1232 (37.5%) in the maternity of the Hospital Barão de Lucena (MHBL) and 645 (19.7%) in the maternity of the Hospital Agamenon Magalhães (MHAM). 387 were pre-term (11.8%). 701 neonates (21.4%) with ocular alterations or risk factors were referred to the specialized service. Of these, 46.4% were pre-term and 37.9% received oxygen therapy, with a higher percentage in MHBL (45.4%). Conjunctivitis was found in 3.0% of the eyes, leucocoria in 0.4% and subconjunctival hemorrhage in 2.0%. At fundoscopy, retinal hemorrhages were found in 7.8% of cases, with 4.3% affecting the macula. Conclusions: The most frequent diseases were retinal hemorrhages and conjunctivitis. The main risk factors seen were prematurity and neonatal infectious diseases. The authors suggest that ocular examinations should be done routinely in neonates.
Eye diseases; Eye; Infant; newborn; Risk factors
