The Relationship Between Anthropometric Z-Score Measurements and Ocular Structures in Turkish Children

Objective (Aim): This study explores the contact between anthropometric Z-score values and ocular parameters in children. Recent studies investigated the relationship, and contact between anthropometric measurements and ocular parameters in children, and height, weight, body mass index, and percentile curves are mostly used as anthropometric data. However, today, different scoring systems such as "Z-score" classify anthropometric values. Methods: Height and body mass index Z-scores were calculated for 725 children. Biometric and refractive measurements of all children were noted. For different reference values, those with a Z-score below the negative value of the reference were defined as a low Z-score, those between the negative and positive value of the reference were defined as a normal Z-score, those with a Z-score greater than the positive value of the reference were defined as a high Z-score. The mean ocular measurement results in the low, normal, and high Z-score groups were compared, and they were pointed to reach the reference value in both negative and positive sides which created the foremost critical contrast between the groups. Results: For a value of "-1" and "+1.5" in the height Z-score, from low to normal and from there to high Z-score group, axial length, and average corneal radius increased, and average corneal power decreased significantly. Anterior chamber depth increased from normal to high Z-score group, but no critical distinction was made between low and normal Z-score groups. Moreover, no critical distinction was observed in spherical equivalent refraction, central corneal thickness for height, and all values of body mass index. Conclusion: Considering a Z-score value of "-1" and "+1.5" as a reference value in children and anticipating the changes that may happen in the ocular structures of children at both ends of the Z-score, it may be useful to understand the effect of body development on ocular development more. Abbreviations: AL = Axial Length, ACD = Anterior Chamber Depth, BMI = Body Mass Index, NCHS = The United States National Center for Health Statistics, WHO = World Health Organization, NFHS 2 = National Family Health Survey 2, SER = Spherical Equivalent Refraction, CR = Average Corneal Radius, CP = Average Corneal Power, CCT = Central Corneal Thickness, HFAsZ = Height for Age Z-Score, BMIsZ = BMI for Age Z-Score, L = Low Z-score, N = Normal Z-score, H = High Z-score.