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Longitudinal assessment of intraocular pressure in premature infants
Ozlem Balci1, Cafer Tanriverdi1, Gokhan Gulkilik1
11 Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul - Turkey.
Insights
Intraocular pressure (IOP) in premature infants significantly decreases up to 34 weeks postconceptional age (PCA). This study establishes a normative IOP value of 15.0 ± 1.1 mm Hg for preterm infants.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neonatology
- Pediatric Medicine
Background:
- Intraocular pressure (IOP) monitoring is crucial for preterm infants.
- Establishing normative IOP values aids in identifying potential ocular pathologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the longitudinal changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) in premature infants.
- To establish a normative IOP value for premature infants.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study involving 40 premature infants with a mean gestational age of 26 weeks.
- Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured using a hand-held tonometer (Tono-Pen XL) from 28 to 40 weeks postconceptional age (PCA).
Main Results:
- The mean IOP across all measurements was 15.0 ± 1.1 mm Hg.
- IOP significantly decreased up to 34 weeks PCA (p<0.01), with a negative correlation between IOP and PCA (r = -0.712, p<0.01).
- At 28 weeks PCA, 22.5% of infants had IOP values greater than 20 mm Hg.
Conclusions:
- The mean IOP for premature infants is 15.0 ± 1.1 mm Hg.
- IOP demonstrates a significant decline in premature infants up to 34 weeks PCA, approaching term-like values.
Purpose:
To investigate the longitudinal change in intraocular pressure (IOP) in premature infants and to establish a normative IOP value.
Methods:
Forty premature infants with a gestational age (GA) of 26 weeks were enrolled in this longitudinal study. Measurements were taken initially at 28 weeks postconceptional age (PCA) and at 2-week intervals up to 40 weeks PCA. Intraocular pressure was measured with a hand-held tonometer (Tono-Pen XL; Reichert Inc.).
Results:
From 40 (22 male, 18 female) premature Caucasian infants, seven (for each eye) IOP measurements were obtained. Mean GA was 26 weeks and mean birthweight was 820 ± 112 grams. The mean IOP was 15.1 ± 1.2 mm Hg and 14.9 ± 1.1 mm Hg for the right and left eyes, respectively. The mean IOP in both eyes for all measurements was 15.0 ± 1.1 mm Hg. At 28 weeks PCA, 9 (22.5%) preterm infants had IOP values greater than 20 mm Hg. The mean IOPs at 28 weeks, 30 weeks, 32 weeks, 34 weeks, 36 weeks, 38 weeks, and 40 weeks PCA were 18.7 ± 1.1 mm Hg, 16.9 ± 0.9 mm Hg, 15.3 ± 0.9 mm Hg, 14.1 ± 1.3 mm Hg, 13.7 ± 1.3 mm Hg, 13.4 ± 1.4 mm Hg, and 13.1 ± 1.3 mm Hg, respectively. A significant decrease in IOP measurements was found up to 34 weeks PCA, with no significant decline in IOP measurements after that point (F = 109.7, p<0.01). There was a negative correlation between IOP and PCA (r = -0.712, p<0.01).
Conclusions:
The mean IOP of premature infants was 15.0 ± 1.1 mm Hg and IOP values decreased significantly up to 34 weeks PCA, indicating a decline trend approaching the term period.
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