Case report: Vitreous hemorrhage as the presenting sign of retinal cavernous hemangioma in a newborn

Purpose: To report a case of vitreous hemorrhage as the presenting sign of retinal cavernous hemangioma (RCH) in a newborn.

Observations: A five-week-old full-term male with a history of seizures and birth trauma underwent ophthalmology screening. Initial eye examination revealed vitreous hemorrhage. Subsequent examination under anesthesia with multi-modal imaging revealed vitreous hemorrhage and an intra-retinal mass with numerous sac-like aneurysmal dilatations, consistent with RCH.

Conclusions and importance: Vitreous hemorrhage in a neonate is an atypical presentation of RCH. Clinicians should be aware that birth trauma may lead to vitreous hemorrhage from RCH. This is the first description of RCH, a rare retinal vascular tumor, in a newborn.