Corneal endothelial cell density and its correlation with birth weight, anthropometric parameters, and ocular
Zijin Wang1, Xiaoxia Zuo1, Lei Liu1
1Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital With Nanjing Medical University, 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, 210029, China.
Insights
Birth weight (BW) and central corneal thickness are positively correlated with corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) in Chinese school children. Girls also showed higher ECD than boys, indicating gender plays a role in ECD distribution.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Corneal Research
Background:
- Corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) is crucial for corneal health and transparency.
- Understanding factors influencing ECD in children is important for early detection of potential vision issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the distribution of corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) in Chinese school children.
- To investigate the correlation between ECD and birth weight (BW), anthropometric, and ocular biometric parameters.
Main Methods:
- A population-based, cross-sectional study (Nanjing Eye Study) involving Chinese school children.
- Corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) measured using a noncontact specular microscope.
- Univariate and multiple linear regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with ECD.
Main Results:
- Mean ECD was 2875.34 ± 195.00 cells/mm².
- ECD showed a significant positive correlation with birth weight (BW) and central corneal thickness.
- Girls exhibited significantly higher ECD than boys (P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Birth weight (BW) is a newly identified factor positively associated with corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) in children.
- Gender significantly influences ECD distribution, with girls having higher ECD.
- Positive correlations were observed between ECD, BW, and central corneal thickness in this cohort.
Background:
To describe the distribution of corneal endothelial cell density (ECD), and to explore its correlation with birth weight (BW), anthropometric parameters, and ocular biometric parameters in Chinese school children.
Methods:
In the population-based cross-sectional Nanjing Eye Study, children were measured for anthropometric information, for ECD by the noncontact specular microscope and for ocular biometric parameters by the optic low-coherent reflectometer. Data from right eyes were analyzed to illustrate the distribution of ECD and for determining correlated factors with ECD using univariate and multiple linear regression analysis. Comparisons among three different BW groups were performed using a one-way ANOVA analysis followed by the Bonferroni correction for pairwise comparisons.
Results:
Of 1171 children, the mean (± standard deviation) ECD was 2875.34 ± 195.00 cells/mm2. In the Multiple Linear Regression analysis, BW, gender and central corneal thickness were significantly associated with ECD. The ECD increased by 36.16 cells/mm2 with BW increasing by 1 kg (P = 0.001) and increased by 0.44 cells/mm2 for every additional 1 mm in central corneal thickness (P = 0.01). The ECD of girls was 54.41 cells/mm2 higher than boys (P < 0.001). Children born with low BW presented significantly lower ECD than those born with normal BW (P < 0.05) and high BW (P < 0.05). Age and axial length were not significantly associated with ECD (P = 0.06 and P = 0.21, respectively).
Conclusions:
In Chinese school children aged 82 to 94 months, the ECD is positively correlated with BW and central corneal thickness, in which BW is a newly identified associated factor. It is like that gender plays an important role in ECD distribution while girls have relatively greater ECD than boys.
