RESUMO
PURPOSE: To assess the ocular health practices within the neonatal units of the City of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to 36 neonatal units that performed 3000 or more deliveries during 2004. Data were collected on Credè's method of ophthalmia neonatorum prophylaxis, red reflex testing, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening and treatment, and ophthalmic referral systems. RESULTS: All of the identified neonatal units completed the survey. Credè's method was used correctly in 31 (86%) units and the red reflex test was performed in 29 (81%) units. All units were aware of the risk factors for ROP, but the examination for its detection was executed on a routine basis in only 31 (86%) units and only 22 (61%) of the units were aware of the correct timing for the first examination for ROP. Treatment for ROP was done by the identifying hospital in 17 (55%) units and 14 (45%) hospitals transferred the neonate to an external service. After the patient's discharge, 30 (83%) neonatal units reported that they appropriately referred neonates for ophthalmic follow up. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylaxis against gonococcal conjunctivitis and the red reflex test need to be implemented more widely, tertiary referral systems need to be established in some services and the management of ROP should be improved. These recommendations may be achieved by designing and implementing guidelines around prevention and control activities to ensure that all avoidable ocular diseases are identified and managed appropriately within this vulnerable age group.
Assuntos
Técnicas de Diagnóstico Oftalmológico/estatística & dados numéricos , Unidades de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal/estatística & dados numéricos , Oftalmia Neonatal/diagnóstico , Padrões de Prática Médica/estatística & dados numéricos , Retinopatia da Prematuridade/diagnóstico , Brasil/epidemiologia , Diagnóstico Precoce , Humanos , Lactente , Recém-Nascido , Oftalmia Neonatal/epidemiologia , Oftalmia Neonatal/prevenção & controle , Avaliação de Resultados em Cuidados de Saúde , Qualidade da Assistência à Saúde , Retinopatia da Prematuridade/epidemiologia , Fatores de Risco , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
An attempt was made to determine the incidence and natural history of Candida endophthalmitis in the premature infant with systemic candidiasis. Each of eight premature infants were examined by indirect ophthalmoscopy within one week of their diagnosis. At this stage, four infants had multiple fluffy white lesions on both the retina and the vitreous, together with a diffuse vitreous haze. Three of the infants had interlesional and lesional-retinal vitreous strands. Three infants treated with amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine showed gradual disappearance of the lesions. The fourth infant died early in the course of antifungal therapy, when the eye lesions were progressing. Candida sepsis was particularly prevalent in the very low-birth-weight infant with a prolonged hospital course and treated with multiple broad-spectrum antibiotics. The course of the eye lesions indicates a good prognosis for Candida endophthalmitis, although further follow-up is necessary.