Retinal microvascular development in the first two years
Yogavijayan Kandasamy1, Donna Rudd2, Roger Smith3
1Department of Neonatology, The Townsville Hospital, Queensland 4814, Australia; Mothers and Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, HMRI, The University of Newcastle, NSW 2310, Australia; College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, QLD 4814, Australia.
Insights
This study measured retinal microvasculature in infants, revealing changes in central retinal arteriolar equivalent (CRAE) and central retinal venular equivalent (CRVE) in the first two years of life. These findings offer insights into early microvascular development and adaptation.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatrics
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Early life insults are linked to chronic illness, with microvasculature pathology playing a key role.
- Retinal microvasculature changes are detectable in children by age six, but data for younger children are lacking.
- Understanding early microvascular development is crucial for identifying potential health risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure retinal microvasculature in infants during the first two years of life.
- To establish baseline data for central retinal arteriolar equivalent (CRAE) and central retinal venular equivalent (CRVE) in early development.
- To investigate early microvascular changes and adaptations in infants.
Main Methods:
- Retinal images were analyzed from 18 infants in a proof-of-concept study.
- Measurements included central retinal arteriolar equivalent (CRAE) and central retinal venular equivalent (CRVE).
- Data were collected at six, 12, and 24 months of age.
Main Results:
- Mean CRAE at six months was 156 μm, increasing to 175 μm at 12 months and declining slightly to 168 μm at 24 months.
- Mean CRVE at six months was 211 μm, increasing to 238 μm at 12 months and declining to 222 μm at 24 months.
- Arterio-venous ratio and tortuosity index remained stable across all time points.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first measurements of retinal microvasculature in the first two years of life.
- Findings highlight dynamic changes in CRAE and CRVE during infancy.
- This data can inform future research on early microvascular development and its long-term health implications.
Abstract:
The link between in utero and early life insults and the development of chronic illness remains to be fully understood, but there is increasing data to indicate that microvasculature pathology plays an important mechanistic role. Currently available data indicate that retinal microvasculature changes are detectable in children as young as six years of age, however, there are no data for younger children. We present retinal microvasculature measurement from the first two years of life. Retinal images suitable for analysis were available from 18 infants in our proof-of-concept study. The mean and standard deviation (SD) for birth weight and gestation was 3410 (384) g and 39.1(1.4) weeks, respectively. Retinal vessel calibres were summarized as the mean(SD) central retinal arteriolar equivalent (CRAE) at six months of age was 156 (32) μm, increased to 175 (75) μm by 12 months and a slightly declined by 24 months of age to 168 (50) μm. In a similar pattern, mean(SD) central retinal venular equivalent (CRVE) at six months was 211 (19) μm, increased to 238 (25) μm by 12 months of age followed by a slight decline at 24 months of age to 222 (36) μm. The arterio-venous ratio and tortuosity index remained the same at 6, 12 and 24 months. Findings from this study could help future investigators better understand early microvasculature changes and adaptation that occur early in life.
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