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Influence of birth parameters on peripapillary nerve fiber layer and macular thickness in six-year-old children
Xiu Ying Wang1, Son C Huynh, Elena Rochtchina
1Vision Co-operative Research Centre, School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Insights
Birth weight and head circumference influence nerve fiber layer and macular thickness in children. Prematurity showed a weak association with central macular thickness at age six.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Childhood visual development is crucial.
- Understanding factors influencing ocular structures like the nerve fiber layer (NFL) and macula is important for early detection of potential issues.
- Birth parameters are potential early indicators of later visual health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of gestational age and birth parameters on peripapillary nerve fiber layer (NFL) and macular thickness in six-year-old children.
- To identify specific birth factors that may predict ocular measurements at age six.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving a random-cluster sample of 1765 six-year-old children in Sydney.
- Ocular measurements, including peripapillary NFL and macular thickness, were obtained using StratusOCT.
- Health records were used to extract birth parameters, followed by multivariate analyses.
Main Results:
- Higher birth weight was associated with greater peripapillary NFL and inner/outer macular thickness.
- Larger head circumference at birth correlated with increased peripapillary NFL and inner/outer/average macular thickness.
- Prematurely born children (<37 weeks) exhibited slightly thicker central macula compared to those born at term.
Conclusions:
- Birth weight and head circumference are significant predictors of peripapillary NFL and macular thickness.
- Gestational age, specifically prematurity, showed a weak association with central macular thickness.
- These findings highlight the importance of birth parameters in early visual development assessment.
Purpose:
To examine influences of gestational age and birth parameters on peripapillary nerve fiber layer (NFL) and macular thickness at age six.
Design:
Cross-sectional study.
Methods:
The Sydney Childhood Eye Study examined a random-cluster sample of 1765 six-year-old Sydney school children. Peripapillary NFL and macular thickness were measured (StratusOCT, Zeiss, Dublin, California, USA). Birth parameters were extracted from health records. Multivariate analyses were performed.
Results:
Higher birth weight children had greater peripapillary NFL, inner and outer (all P(trend) < 0.03), but not central or average macular thickness (both P(trend) > 0.1). Peripapillary NFL (P(trend) = 0.001), inner (P(trend) = 0.01), outer (P(trend) = 0.002), and average macular thickness (P(trend) = 0.02), but not central macular thickness (P(trend) = 0.5) was greater in children with larger head circumference at birth. The central macula was thicker in prematurely (<37 weeks) born children (195.0 microm) than those born at term (191.2 microm), P = 0.04.
Conclusion:
Birth weight and head circumference predicted peripapillary NFL and macular thickness. Prematurity was weakly associated with central macular thickness.
