Partial Visual Recovery in Two Fullterm Infants After Perinatal Hypoxia

Abstract

Behavioural methods were used to assess the visual development of two infants with a history of severe perinatal hypoxia. Both infants were born fullterm and showed hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy and subsequent cerebral palsy. Low visual acuity, small and asymmetrical visual fields, asymmetrical binocular and monocular OKN, and absent visual threat response were demonstrated initially. Ophthalmological examination revealed strabismus, but no further abnormalities. Longitudinal assessments up to the age of two years showed impressive (partial) improvements of visual functions. The mechanism for these improvements is unknown. The present study emphasizes the necessity of repeated testing of visual functions in infants with cerebral damage after perinatal hypoxia.

Key words

Perinatal hypoxia - Visual functions - Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy - Delayed development - Visual impairments