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Author Spotlight: An Automated Method for Assessing Visual Acuity in Infants and Toddlers Using an Eye-Tracking System
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Author Spotlight: An Automated Method for Assessing Visual Acuity in Infants and Toddlers Using an Eye-Tracking System

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Alterations in visual acuity and visual development in infants 1-24 months old either exposed to or infected by Zika

Luiz Claudio Portnoi Baran1, Marcelo Fernades da Costa1, Kallene Summer Vidal1

  • 1Department of Experimental Psychology, University of São Paulo Institute of Psychology, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Nucleus of Neurosciences and Behavior, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Journal of AAPOS : the Official Publication of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
|June 24, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Gestational Zika virus (ZIKV) infection, not just exposure, can cause visual acuity loss in infants. This infection may slow visual development, impacting the central nervous system.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Neuroscience
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy poses risks to fetal development.
  • Visual impairment is a potential consequence of congenital ZIKV exposure.
  • Understanding the impact of ZIKV on visual acuity is crucial for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess visual acuity and its development in Brazilian children exposed to ZIKV during gestation.
  • To differentiate the effects of ZIKV exposure versus direct infection on visual development.

Main Methods:

  • Visual acuity and funduscopic examinations were performed on children exposed to ZIKV and age-matched controls.
  • ZIKV exposure was confirmed via maternal PCR or serology.
  • Children were categorized into ZIKV-exposed (ZE) and ZIKV-infected (ZI) subgroups.

Main Results:

  • Abnormal visual acuity was observed in 5 of 24 ZIKV-infected children.
  • Visual acuity correlated significantly with age in controls and the ZE subgroup, but not in the ZI subgroup.
  • The ZI subgroup showed a significantly lower increment in visual acuity per month.

Conclusions:

  • Gestational ZIKV infection, not merely exposure, is linked to visual acuity loss.
  • The lack of age-correlation in visual acuity for the ZI group suggests impaired visual development, even without microcephaly.
  • These findings highlight the potential detrimental effects of ZIKV on the developing central nervous system and visual pathways.
Abstract

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