What condition is pathognomonic for retinal hemorrhages in neonates?

Retinal hemorrhages in neonates are a significant clinical finding, and the presence of these hemorrhages is particularly associated with abusive head trauma. This condition can occur as a result of infant shaking or other forms of trauma that result in rapid acceleration-deceleration forces affecting the brain and consequently the blood vessels in the retina.

In neonates, the delicate structure of the retinal blood vessels makes them susceptible to injury from trauma, which can lead to bleeding. The identification of retinal hemorrhages in an infant raises strong suspicions of possible abuse, especially when no clear accidental cause is provided. While there are other conditions that may lead to retinal hemorrhages, none are as directly associated with the implication of non-accidental injury as abusive head trauma is.

Other options listed are related to different neonatal conditions but do not primarily present with retinal hemorrhages. For instance, neonatal jaundice is more related to elevated bilirubin levels leading to jaundice and does not directly cause retinal hemorrhages. Persistent fetal circulation is a pathophysiological state affecting oxygenation but not specifically linked to retinal bleeding, and vitamin K deficiency predominantly relates to coagulopathy and may cause bleeding, but does not specifically localize to the retina or indicate abuse as