Absence of a red reflex is an important finding on newborn examination and could be caused by congenital cataracts (incidence 2.5/10,000).
The most common cause is idiopathic (50%) but they are also linked to Trisomy 21, intrauterine infections and maternal steroids. Early detection and referral is vital to minimize potential visual loss.
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First published: 10/02/14
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