Development of blind infants and children with retrolental fibroplasia: implications for physicians

Despite an apparent increase in the incidence of retrolental fibroplasia (RLF) and renewed interest in its pathophysiology and prevention, clinicians are often ill prepared to help the family promote the optimal development of its blind or severely visually impaired child. The physician's manag...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Pediatrics (Evanston) 1983-01, Vol.71 (1), p.6-12
Main Author: Teplin, S W
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Attitude of Health Personnel
Blindness - physiopathology
Child Development
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Intelligence
Physician's Role
Physician-Patient Relations
Retinopathy of Prematurity - physiopathology
Role
Citations: Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Despite an apparent increase in the incidence of retrolental fibroplasia (RLF) and renewed interest in its pathophysiology and prevention, clinicians are often ill prepared to help the family promote the optimal development of its blind or severely visually impaired child. The physician's management approach is molded by both knowledge about the effects of blindness and prematurity on subsequent development and attitudes about blindness. Both issues are reviewed, with particular focus on the developmental course of the infant or child who is blind due to RLF. Although the literature regarding developmental outcome of premature infants with RLF has failed to reach definitive conclusions, studies reveal a tendency toward an IQ distribution similar to or slightly lower than that of various control samples. Blind children with RLF may also be at increased risk for emotional problems, largely as a function of early maladaptive family interaction patterns. Implications of these and other developmental patterns are translated into general and specific interventions that neonatologists, ophthalmologists, and primary care physicians can facilitate. Such physician guidance can help assure the blind or severely visually impaired child's optimal cognitive and emotional development.
ISSN:0031-4005
1098-4275
DOI:10.1542/peds.71.1.6