Ophthalmological findings in relation to auxological data in moderate‐to‐late preterm preschool children

Abstract

ABSTRACT.Purpose: To evaluate ophthalmological findings in preschool children born moderate-to-late preterm (MLP) and relate the findings to auxological data at birth and at 5.5 years of age. Methods: Seventy-eight MLP children [gestational age (GA) 32-36 weeks; 34 girls; mean age 5.7 years] were investigated. Gestational age, weight, length and head circumference at birth and at the time of assessment were registered. Visual acuity (VA), refraction, orthoptic evaluation, slit-lamp examination and ophthalmoscopy were conducted, and a history of visuoperceptual problems was recorded. The data were compared with age-and sex-matched controls born full term (n = 35). Results: Ophthalmological abnormalities were noted in 82% of MLP children and 47% of controls (p = 0.0004). There was a significant difference with regard to impaired motility (p = 0.03), heterophoria at distance (p = 0.006) and refraction expressed as spherical equivalent dioptre (p = 0.01). Amongst auxological data at birth, birthweight (BW) was the strongest predictor to ophthalmological abnormalities (p = 0.0003). In a stepwise logistic regression, GA was the strongest predictor of VA outcome at time of assessment (p = 0.0036). Moderate-to-late preterm birth showed a 2.4-fold increased risk of refractive errors compared with full-term children (RR 2.39: 95% CI 1.10-5.20; p = 0.02). Conclusion: Based on our findings, MLP birth may be associated with increased ocular morbidity compared with their full-term counterparts. Auxological data at birth, especially BW, seems to be an important factor when conducting an ophthalmological diagnosis in preschool MLP children, and an increased VA was correlated to a higher GA.

Ocular morphology and visual function in relation to general growth in moderate‐to‐late preterm school‐aged children

“…This is in fair agreement with our previous results on the same cohort investigated at age of five years old (Raffa et al. ) and with Robaei's study where moderate prematurity was not associated with increased risk for myopia or significant hyperopia (Robaei et al. ).…”

“…; Raffa et al. ). At 8 years of age, 50 children (29 boys, 21 girls) with a mean ± standard deviation (SD) GA of 35 ± 1.5 weeks and birthweight (BW) of 2299 ± 469 grams of the original neonatal study ( n = 247) and the substudy at 5.5 years of age ( n = 78) agreed, with their guardians' permission, to take part in this study.…”

Pre‐ and Postnatal Development of the Eye: A Species Comparison

“…The impact on eye development partially depends on the extent of prematurity but is linked to other factors, including oxygen, inflammation, or nutrition strategies (Casteels et al, ; Hellstrom et al, ; O'Connor et al, ). However, subtle differences have also been documented for late preterm neonates compared with term neonates, suggesting a continuum of impact (Raffa et al, , ). These findings in preterms should be taken into account when selecting animal experimental models.…”

Visual and Hearing Impairments After Preterm Birth

“…4 The results of a few studies have also revealed increased ocular morbidity in infants born moderately preterm (MP) (32 + 0/7-33 + 6/7 weeks) and late preterm (LP) (34 + 0/7-36 + 6/7 weeks). 5,6 The incidence of congenital hearing impairment has been estimated to be 1 to 2 per 1000 newborns, and, in risk populations, the incidence has been reported to be increased 10-to 50-fold. 7,8 VP birth, admission to a NICU, and low birth weight have been reported to increase the risk of hearing disabilities in childhood.…”