Visual Function and Fundus Morphology in Relation to Growth and Cardiovascular Status in 10-Year-Old Moderate-to-Late...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Neonatology
• Pediatrics
• Developmental Biology

Background:

• Moderate-to-late preterm (MLP) birth is associated with various health challenges.
• Ocular development and visual function in MLP children require further investigation.
• The long-term impact of preterm birth on eye health and its relation to metabolic factors is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate visual function and ocular fundus morphology in moderate-to-late preterm (MLP) children at 10 years of age.
• To examine the relationship between ocular findings and growth, metabolic status, and blood pressure in MLP children.
• To compare ocular characteristics of MLP children with a control group.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, population-based observational cohort study was conducted in Gothenburg, Sweden.
• Nonsyndromic MLP children and age/sex-matched controls were assessed neonatally and at 10 years of age.
• Evaluations included visual acuity, refraction, fundus morphology, anthropometrics, blood pressure, and metabolic markers (IGF-I, IGFBP3, leptin, adiponectin).

Main Results:

• MLP children exhibited a significantly higher prevalence of myopia compared to controls.
• The MLP group showed smaller optic disc and rim areas, fewer optic disc branching points, and increased arterial and venous tortuosity.
• Refraction correlated with insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) at 10 years, while vascular tortuosity correlated with neonatal IGF-I and leptin/adiponectin ratio.

Conclusions:

• MLP birth is linked to myopia, reduced optic disc size, and abnormal retinal vascularization in children by age 10.
• Metabolic status and growth factors appear to play a significant role in the ocular development of MLP children.
• These findings highlight the importance of monitoring ocular health and metabolic factors in individuals born preterm.