THE SPECIFIC FEATURES OF FLUORESCEIN ANGIOGRAPHY OF THE RETINA IN THE CHILDREN OF DIFFERENT AGE AND THE POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS OF ITS APPLICATION

Purpose. The objective of the present study was the further adaptation of the fluorescence angiography technique for the examination of the children of different ages and the evaluation of the nature, severity, and frequency of complications likely to develop in the course of such examination as a result of intravenous administration of sodium fluorescein and its intake. Material and methods. A total of 957 children at the age varying between 1.5 months and 16 years were divided into two age groups. The first group consisted of 204 (21.3%) children under the age of 1.5 months and up to 5 years including premature babies in whom fluorescence retinal angiography was performed under general anesthesia with the use of the specially developed and improved methodology. The second group was comprised of 753 (78.7%) children at the age between 6 and 16 years. To 649 of these children (86.2%), the dye was injected intravenously whereas to 104 (13.8%) of them sodium fluorescein was given per os. Results. We have developed and further improved the method for fluorescence angiography in the children of various ages including premature infants. The fluorescence angiography of the fundus of the eye in the children at the age from 1.5 months and up to 16 years resulted in the complications of varying severity in 5.2% of the patients. Mild complications in the form of nausea or vomiting accounted for 3.8% of their total number. The moderately severe complications (1.0%) manifested themselves as the development of the collaptoid state or urticaria. The severe complications (0.2%) were apparent as bronchospasm and laryngospasm. No complications whatever were documented in the children after the oral intake of a 10% sodium fluorescein solution. Conclusion. The intravenous fluorescence angiography is a fairly safe method for the examination of the fundus of the eye in the children, however it can be accompanied in rare cases (3.8%) by the complications the majority of which (75%) are mild disorders. Both intravenous administration of sodium fluorescein under general anesthesia and its oral intake can be regarded as safe interventions.

fluorescence angiography, methodology, complications, children, fundus of the eye