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Peripapillary Choroidal Thickness in Former Preterm and Full-Term Infants Aged From 4 to 10 Years
Achim Fieß1, Luka Christian2, Ruth Kölb-Keerl1
1Department of Ophthalmology, Helios Dr. Horst Schmidt Klinik, Wiesbaden, Germany.
Insights
Preterm birth does not impact peripapillary choroidal thickness. However, infants born small for gestational age (SGA) show reduced thickness, suggesting fetal growth restriction causes long-term choroidal changes.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neonatology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Peripapillary choroidal thickness is a key indicator of ocular health.
- Understanding factors affecting choroidal development in early life is crucial for long-term visual prognosis.
- Previous studies have not definitively established the impact of prematurity and associated conditions on peripapillary choroidal development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate peripapillary choroidal thickness in former preterm and full-term infants using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).
- To determine if prematurity, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), or small for gestational age (SGA) status influences peripapillary choroidal thickness.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, controlled, cross-sectional study included 503 infants aged 4–10 years.
- Infants were categorized into four groups based on gestational age (GA) and presence of ROP.
- Peripapillary choroidal thickness was measured using SD-OCT, with successful measurements obtained in 388 participants.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in global peripapillary choroidal thickness were found among the four groups.
- Multivariable analysis showed no association between low GA, birth weight, ROP, or adverse perinatal events and choroidal thickness.
- Infants born SGA exhibited significant peripapillary choroidal thinning in superior and nasal sectors compared to appropriate for GA (AGA) infants, and had lower visual acuity.
Conclusions:
- Prematurity itself does not appear to affect peripapillary choroidal thickness in children.
- Small for gestational age (SGA) status is associated with long-term peripapillary choroidal thinning.
- Fetal growth restriction, indicated by SGA, leads to lasting alterations in the peripapillary choroidal region.
Purpose:
The aim of the study was to investigate peripapillary choroidal thickness in former preterm and full-term infants with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).
Methods:
Subanalysis of infants with successful peripapillary choroidal thickness measurements of a prospective, controlled, cross-sectional, hospital-based study in a tertiary center of maximum care. The study examined 503 infants aged 4 to 10 years at the time of examination. Infants were divided into different groups: group 1 born with gestational age (GA) ≥37 weeks, group 2 born with GA between 29 and 32 weeks without ROP (retinopathy of prematurity), group 3 born with GA ≤28 weeks without ROP, and group 4 born with GA ≤32 weeks and presence of ROP.
Results:
Peripapillary choroidal measurements were available for 388 of 503 participants. No significant differences were found among the four groups for global peripapillary choroidal thickness. Multivariable analysis revealed no association with low GA, birth weight, ROP occurrence, perinatal adverse events, and logMAR visual acuity. Only infants born small for GA (SGA) revealed peripapillary choroidal thinning in the superior (P = 0.033) and nasal (P = 0.024) sectors compared with infants born appropriate for GA (AGA). Infants SGA had lower visual acuity than AGA infants (0.03 ± 0.07 logMAR SGA versus 0.01 ± 0.05 logMAR AGA; P = 0.029).
Conclusions:
Our results indicate that prematurity itself does not affect choroidal thickness in the peripapillary region. Only infants born SGA revealed peripapillary choroidal thinning compared with AGA infants. Our data indicate that fetal growth restriction leads to choroidal long-term alterations in the peripapillary region.
