Macular thickness variation and interocular symmetry by gestational age in preterm school-age children
José L Torres-Peña1, Ana I Ortueta-Olartecoechea1, Alicia Muñoz-Gallego1
1Ophthalmology Department, Madrid University Hospital "12 de Octubre," Spain; Madrid University Complutense, Spain.
Insights
Children born very preterm have altered macular thickness profiles at school age, with increased central thickness and outer ring thickness compared to term-born children. However, they do not exhibit greater interocular asymmetry.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Developmental Biology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Macular thickness is a key indicator of retinal development and health.
- Understanding macular development in preterm infants is crucial for identifying potential visual impairments.
- Previous studies have shown varying results regarding macular development in preterm populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in macular thickness profiles based on gestational age (GA) in children.
- To assess interocular symmetry in the macula of children born very preterm.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving preterm (n=106) and term-born (n=49) children aged 5-8 years.
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to measure macular thickness according to the ETDRS (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study) protocol.
- Statistical analyses included stratified and multivariable approaches.
Main Results:
- Foveal minimum thickness increased with decreasing GA, with significantly greater thickness in preterm infants compared to term-born children.
- Inner and outer macular areas showed thickness differences between preterm and term groups, but did not vary with the degree of prematurity.
- Interocular asymmetry in macular thickness was not significant in most areas for preterm children.
Conclusions:
- Children born very preterm exhibit a distinct macular thickness profile at school age, characterized by greater central and outer ring thickness compared to term-born peers.
- Despite differences in thickness, preterm children do not demonstrate increased interocular asymmetry in their macula.
- These findings highlight specific structural adaptations in the macula of individuals with a history of very preterm birth.
Purpose:
To determine changes in macular thickness profile according to gestational age (GA) and to assess interocular symmetry in the macula of children born very preterm.
Methods:
In this cross-sectional study of preterm (n = 106) and term-born (n = 49) children 5-8 years of age at time of examination, optical coherence tomography was used to measure macula thickness as described in the ETDRS study. Statistical analyses included stratified and multivariable analyses.
Results:
Foveal minimum thickness increased with decreasing GA (P for trend, <0.001; 254.7 ± 32.8 μm for children born at 24-25 weeks and 193.2 ± 32.8 μm in term-born children). Inner and outer area thickness differed for term and preterm children, but did not vary with the degree of prematurity (inner area, 267.0 ± 11.0 μm for 24-25 weeks' GA and 305.4 ± 11.8 μm for term children [P < 0.01]; outer ring, 305.5 ± 10.4 μm in extreme preterm and 271.0 ± 10.4 μm in term children [P < 0.01]). Interocular asymmetry in preterm children was not significant for most areas; the largest interocular difference was found in the central zone (16.3 ±16.6 μm).
Conclusions:
In our study cohort, children born very preterm examined at school age compared to term born children had greater central thickness with decreased foveal pit, decreased inner ring, and increased thickness of the outer ring. They did not show greater interocular asymmetry.
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