Abstract

Tripaldi Clelia MD*, Grande Elisabetta MD, Annicchiarico Elettra MC and Sannace Carmela MD

ABSTRACT

The red reflex has in recent years become part of the recommended neurosensory screening of newborns and infants. The ocular objective finding varies depending on the presence of diseases, but also in relation to the ethnicity of the newborn. We performed a retrospective study on all newborns of 2015 and 2016 in our center, examining all those in which the red reflex was altered, recalling them after a week and making a specialist eye assessment. In newborns of the Negroid and Mongolian race there is a greater probability of alteration of the red reflex. This was demonstrated by statistical analysis on our sample examined. The anatomical reason for this alteration, which therefore would have to be considered physiological, would be linked to the different retinal pigmentation in the Negroid and Mongolian races.