Citation

Elner SG, Elner VM, Arnall M, Albert DM. Arch. Ophthalmol. (1960) 1990; 108(8): 1094-1101.

Affiliation

Department of Ophthalmology, Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48105.

Comment In:

Arch Ophthalmol 1991;109(3):321-2

Copyright

(Copyright © 1990, American Medical Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

2383197

Abstract

We reviewed complete ocular and systemic necropsy findings of 10 consecutive children who died of suspected child abuse. All 10 children had evidence at necropsy of blunt head trauma, although external signs of blunt trauma occasionally were covert. Ocular injuries were observed in 7 of the 10 cases and when present always included retinal, vitreous, and subdural optic nerve hemorrhages. In 5 cases, intrascleral hemorrhage from the circle of Zinn occurred at the sclera-optic nerve junction. In 4 cases, traumatic retinoschisis or tractional retinal folds were present. Anterior segment findings were uniformly consistent with blunt trauma. Hemosiderin, indicating old hemorrhage, was present in 3 cases. Intracranial hemorrhage, present in all cases with abnormal ocular findings, was always accompanied by signs of direct head trauma, such as subgaleal hemorrhage, skull fracture, cerebral contusion, or external contusions, which are sometimes subtle or hidden beneath the hair.

Language: en