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Impact of birth parameters on eye size in a population-based study of 6-year-old Australian children
Elvis Ojaimi1, Dana Robaei, Elena Rochtchina
1Department of Ophthalmology, Westmead Millennium Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead NSW, Australia.
Insights
Birth size, including birth weight, length, and head circumference, influences ocular dimensions like axial length and corneal radius in children. However, birth size does not affect refractive error at age six.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Human Growth and Development
Background:
- Birth parameters are crucial developmental indicators.
- Understanding early life factors influencing ocular development is vital for long-term eye health.
- Previous research has explored various factors affecting eye growth, but the specific impact of birth metrics on ocular dimensions at school age requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between birth parameters (birth weight, birth length, birth head circumference) and ocular dimensions in 6-year-old children.
- To determine if early life size measurements predict eye size in childhood.
- To assess the relationship between birth size and refractive error at age six.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 1765 six-year-old schoolchildren in Sydney.
- Ocular dimensions, including axial length and corneal radius, were measured using non-contact optical biometry (Zeiss IOLMaster).
- Birth weight, length, and head circumference data were collected via parental questionnaires.
Main Results:
- Children with lower birth weight (<2500 g) exhibited smaller mean axial length (22.46 mm) and corneal radius (7.70 mm) compared to those with higher birth weight (> or =4000 g).
- Significant associations were found between axial length and corneal radius with birth length and head circumference.
- No significant relationship was observed between birth size parameters and spherical equivalent refraction in 6-year-old children.
Conclusions:
- Birth size parameters, including weight, length, and head circumference, have a persistent influence on ocular dimensions (axial length, corneal radius) by age six.
- Early life growth metrics do not appear to impact the refractive status of children at this age.
- These findings highlight the long-term impact of perinatal factors on eye morphology.
Purpose:
To study the effect of birth parameters, including birth weight, birth length, and birth head circumference on ocular dimensions in 6-year-old children.
Design:
Cross-sectional study.
Methods:
A stratified random cluster sample of 6-year-old Sydney school-students (n = 1765) were participants in this study. Children had ocular dimensions measured with non-contact methods (Zeiss IOLMaster, Zeiss, Meditec-AG, Jena, Germany). Information on birth weight, height, and head circumference was derived from a questionnaire.
Results:
After adjusting for cluster, age, and gender, children with birth weight <2500 g had mean axial length 22.46 mm (95% confidence interval [CI], 22.20-22.72) and mean corneal radius 7.70 mm (CI 7.61-7.79). This compared with axial length 22.80 mm (CI 22.70-22.90) and mean corneal radius 7.85 mm (CI 7.81-7.89) for children with birth weight > or =4000 g. Axial length and corneal radius were also related to birth length and head circumference. Refraction, however, was unrelated to birth size.
Conclusion:
Birth parameters have a lasting effect on eye size but not on spherical equivalent refraction.
