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Association of birth parameters with refractive status in a sample of caucasian children aged 4-17 years
Berna Akova-Budak1, Sertaç Argun Kıvanç1, Osman Okan Olcaysü2
1Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Uludag University, 16059 Bursa, Turkey.
Insights
Higher birth weight is linked to myopia in children, while being small for gestational age is associated with hyperopia. These birth parameters may influence refractive error development.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Genetics and Birth Parameters
Background:
- Refractive errors like myopia and hyperopia are common in children.
- Understanding factors influencing refractive status is crucial for early intervention.
- Birth parameters such as birth weight and gestational age are potential early life influences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between birth parameters and refractive status in Caucasian children.
- To investigate how birth weight and gestational age appropriateness correlate with emmetropia, myopia, and hyperopia.
- To analyze these associations across different age groups.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 282 Caucasian children (564 eyes) aged 4-17 years.
- Comprehensive ophthalmologic examinations were performed.
- Children categorized by refractive status (emmetropia, myopia, hyperopia) and age groups; logistic regression used to analyze birth parameter associations.
Main Results:
- Children with myopia showed a statistically significant association with higher birth weights compared to emmetropic children.
- Hyperopic children, particularly those aged 13-17 years, were significantly more likely to be small for gestational age.
- Mean birth weight was 2681.1g and mean gestational age was 37.2 weeks.
Conclusions:
- Birth weight and appropriateness for gestational age appear to be significant factors in the development of refractive errors.
- Higher birth weight may predispose to myopia, while being small for gestational age is linked to hyperopia in older children.
Abstract:
Purpose. To investigate the association of birth parameters with refractive status in different age groups of Caucasian children. Materials and Methods. This cross-sectional study included 564 eyes of 282 children aged 4 to 17 years. All children underwent complete ophthalmologic examination. The children were divided into three groups according to their refractive status (emmetropia,myopia, and hyperopia), ages (4-7, 8-9, 10-12, and 13-17), and appropriateness for gestational age, respectively. Results. The mean age of the children was 9.2 ± 2.8 (age range 4-17 years). The mean spheric equivalent was +0.3 ± 1.7 (range: (-10.0)-(+10.0) diopters). The mean birth weight and gestational age were 2681.1 ± 930.8 grams (750-5000 grams) and 37.2 ± 3.7 weeks (25-42 weeks). According to multinominal logistic regression analysis, children with myopia were more likely to have higher birth weights than emmetropic children (OR: 1.0, 95% CI: 1.000-1.001, and P = 0.028). The hypermetropes were found to be significantly small for gestational age between 13 and 17 years of age. Conclusion. Birth weight and appropriateness for gestational age as birth parameters may have an impact on development of all types of refractive errors. The hypermetropic children tended to be small for gestational age.
