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Visual and oculomotor outcomes in children with prenatal opioid exposure

Jennifer E Lambert1, Crandall E Peeler1,2

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology.

Current Opinion in Ophthalmology
|August 27, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal opioid exposure can impact visual development and brain maturation in children. While some visual deficits may improve, conditions like strabismus and nystagmus may persist.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Ophthalmology

Background:

  • Opioid dependence and prenatal opioid exposure are increasing public health concerns.
  • Prenatal opioid exposure may impact the developing central nervous system (CNS).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review visual and oculomotor outcomes in children with prenatal opioid exposure.
  • To examine the effects of opioids on the developing CNS.

Main Methods:

  • Review of animal models and human imaging studies.
  • Analysis of visual evoked potential (VEP) testing in exposed children.
  • Assessment of oculomotor findings such as strabismus and nystagmus.

Main Results:

  • Prenatal opioid exposure may affect neuronal survival, white matter maturation, and brain volumes.
  • VEP testing indicates delayed maturation of the afferent visual system, with some catch-up development observed.
  • Exposed children show increased prevalence of strabismus and nystagmus, which appear persistent.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the visual system's risks from prenatal opioid exposure is crucial.
  • Counseling parents of exposed children requires knowledge of potential short- and long-term effects.
  • Further longitudinal studies are needed to enhance prognostic accuracy.
Abstract

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