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Ocular examination in nine-month-old infants with very low birthweights
F D Koole1, P P Bax, J F Samsom
1Department of Ophthalmology, Free University Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Insights
This study examined 185 very low birthweight infants, finding no significant correlation between perinatal factors and ocular conditions like refractive error or strabismus at nine months corrected age.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neonatology
- Perinatal Medicine
Background:
- Very low birthweight (VLBW) infants (<1500g) face increased risks for various health issues.
- Ocular abnormalities and neurological conditions like cerebral palsy are concerns in VLBW populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate potential relationships between perinatal parameters and ocular findings in VLBW infants.
- To assess correlations between refractive error (spherical equivalent, astigmatism) and strabismus with perinatal factors and cerebral palsy.
Main Methods:
- Ocular examinations were conducted on 185 VLBW infants at nine months corrected gestational age.
- Data on 11 perinatal parameters were collected.
- Statistical analysis utilized the Student t-test to identify correlations.
Main Results:
- Mean gestational age was 30 weeks; mean birthweight was 1160g.
- Mean spherical refraction was +0.9 D; mean astigmatism was -0.6 D.
- Convergent strabismus was observed in 10% of infants.
Conclusions:
- No statistically significant correlations were found between the examined ocular parameters and the recorded perinatal factors.
- Further research may be needed to explore other potential influencing factors on ocular health in VLBW infants.
Abstract:
In the period 1980-1987 ocular examinations were performed on 185 infants with a very low birthweight (less than 1500 g) at the age of nine months corrected for the duration of pregnancy. The mean gestational age of the infants was 30 weeks, while the mean birthweight was 1160 g. The mean spherical refraction was 0.9 D (S.D. 1.3 D), the mean astigmatism was C-0.6 D (S.D. 1.0 D), while convergent strabismus was found in 10% of the patients. The purpose of the investigation was to see if there was a relation between spherical equivalent of refraction, astigmatism and strabismus on the one hand and 11 perinatal parameters and cerebral palsy diagnosed at the age of nine months on the other hand. Statistical analysis was performed with the Student t-test. No significant correlation between the findings of ocular examination and the perinatal parameters could be detected.