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Optic disc morphology in preterm children. Influence of gestational age and birth weight
R Bouzerar1, O Madar2, P Tourneux3
1Medical Image processing unit, Department of Imaging, Amiens University Hospital, Amiens, France.
Insights
Optic disc morphology in premature infants was studied. Findings indicate that gestational age, birth weight, and retinopathy of prematurity do not significantly influence optic disc characteristics in these newborns.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neonatology
- Pediatric Optic Nerve Development
Background:
- Optic disc and optic nerve development are crucial for visual function in children.
- Understanding these characteristics in premature infants is important for early detection of visual impairments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess optic disc morphology in preterm infants.
- To determine if gestational age, birth weight, or retinopathy of prematurity influence optic disc characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of RetCam fundus images from 109 premature newborns.
- Evaluation of cup to disc ratio (C/D), disc diameter, cup diameter, disc shape, ISNT rule adherence, and peripapillary atrophy.
Main Results:
- Mean gestational age was 28.5 weeks and mean birth weight was 1122g.
- No significant correlation found between C/D and gestational age or birth weight.
- Optic discs were predominantly oval; 93% of infants with retinopathy of prematurity had peripapillary atrophy.
Conclusions:
- Optic disc morphology in premature newborns is not significantly influenced by gestational age.
- Birth weight and the presence of retinopathy of prematurity did not impact optic disc morphology in this cohort.
Purpose:
The characteristics of the optic disc and the development of the optic nerve can affect visual function in children. The purpose of our study was to assess optic disc morphology in preterm infants and to determine whether it is influenced by gestational age, birth weight and the presence of a retinopathy of prematurity.
Methods:
In a retrospective study, RetCam fundus images of 109 premature newborns admitted to our tertiary-level neonatal intensive care unit were reviewed. We evaluated the cup to disc ratio (C/D), optic disc diameter, cup diameter, shape of the optic disc, adherence to the ISNT rule, and presence of a peripapillary atrophy.
Results:
Of 218 photos, we found the following results: mean±SD gestational age 28.5±2.7 weeks, mean±SD birth weight 1122±394g, mean C/D 0.32. There was no significant correlation between C/D and gestational age or birth weight. Vertical disc diameter was greater than horizontal disc diameter, with a mean ratio (horizontal/vertical) of 4/5, lending an oval shape to the optic disc. Nineteen infants had retinopathy of prematurity in both eyes; ninety-three percent had peripapillary atrophy.
Conclusion:
In our study, optic disc morphology in premature newborns was not influenced by gestational age, birth weight or presence of premature retinopathy.
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