Central and peripheral corneal thickness in newborns.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Neonatal Medicine
• Pediatric Ophthalmology

Background:

• Corneal thickness is a critical biometric parameter in ophthalmology.
• Understanding normative values in newborns is essential for diagnosing congenital eye conditions.
• Corneal hydration and thickness can change rapidly in the neonatal period.

Purpose of the Study:

• To measure central and peripheral corneal thickness in newborn infants.
• To investigate factors influencing corneal thickness, including age, sex, and birth weight.
• To establish normative data for neonatal corneal dimensions.

Main Methods:

• Corneal thickness was measured in 74 newborn children using non-contact methods.
• Data collected included central and peripheral corneal thickness measurements.
• Statistical analysis was performed to assess differences based on various demographic and clinical factors.

Main Results:

• Mean central corneal thickness was 0.573 ± 0.052 mm and mean peripheral thickness was 0.650 ± 0.062 mm.
• Corneal thickness was significantly higher within the first 24 hours of life compared to 48-72 hours.
• Peripheral corneal thickness was greater in full-term infants weighing 2.500-3.000 g than in those weighing 3.501-4.000 g.

Conclusions:

• Neonatal corneal thickness exhibits significant changes within the first few days of life.
• Birth weight is associated with peripheral corneal thickness in term infants.
• These findings contribute to understanding normal corneal development in newborns.