| Retinal hemorrhage means bleeding onto the | | | | Hemorrhages in the retina have many causes |
| surface of the retina caused by rupture of the | | | | (including diabetic retinopathy,hypertensive |
| tiny blood vessels that lie on the surface of the | | | | retinopathy, physical trauma, bleeding diathesis and |
| retina. Retinal hemorrhage signify increased | | | | increased intracranial pressure). Sever contraction |
| pressure within the skull. This may result from | | | | of chest muscles in convulsion, crying or vomiting |
| head trauma and bleeding, whether accidental or | | | | may cause retinal hemorrhages. Retinal |
| intentional (child abuse). It was once believed to be | | | | hemorrhages occur when blood extravasates |
| pathognomonic of so-called shaken baby | | | | from blood vessells due to variety of causes |
| syndrome, but this is no longer thought to be true | | | | from benign to life - threatening conditions. It is |
| by the forensic pathology community. Retinal | | | | usually seen in children with trauma (including child |
| hemorrhages in children are important clinical | | | | abuse), vomiting, coughing or cardiopulmonary |
| findings. They may be associated with trauma or | | | | resucitation. Theoretical mechanism is sudden rise |
| systemic diseases. In the absence of bleeding | | | | of retinal venous pressure secondary to forceful |
| disorders, retinal hemorrhage most often result | | | | thoracoabdominal muscle contraction. Such a |
| from non - accidental injuries such as direct | | | | mechanism is also possible after convulsion. There |
| streaking of the head, severe shaking causing | | | | are a number of reports in literature about retinal |
| acceleration - deceleration and thoracic | | | | hemorrhages after convulsion. |
| compressions. | | | | |