Systemic Factors Associated with a Thinner Choroid in Preterm Infants

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Neonatology
• Developmental Biology

Background:

• Choroidal thickness is a potential indicator of visual health in infants.
• Preterm infants, especially those with low birth weight, are at risk for poor visual outcomes.
• Systemic health factors may influence choroidal development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify systemic health factors associated with a thinner choroid in preterm infants.
• To investigate the relationship between choroidal thickness and infant health parameters.

Main Methods:

• Prospective observational study (BabySTEPS) of infants undergoing retinopathy of prematurity screening.
• Handheld optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging at 36 ± 1 weeks' postmenstrual age (PMA).
• Correlation analysis of choroidal thickness with maternal and infant clinical data.

Main Results:

• Mean subfoveal choroidal thickness was 231 ± 78 μm in 82 infants.
• Univariate analysis showed associations between thinner choroid and decreased growth velocity, lower birth weight, smaller head circumference, younger gestational age, patent ductus arteriosus, sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, pulmonary interstitial emphysema, and oxygen support.
• Multivariate analysis identified growth velocity and oxygen support at 36 weeks PMA as independent predictors of thinner choroid.

Conclusions:

• Choroidal development in preterm infants is independently associated with growth velocity and prolonged oxygen support.
• These findings suggest a link between early life growth and choroidal development.
• Further longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these associations and their impact on visual outcomes.