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A study of visual function in the premature infant.

Child: Care, Health and Development

|November 1, 1979

Summary

Visual tracking and pattern differentiation abilities in premature infants develop rapidly. These visual functions in preterm infants born between 28-34 weeks of gestation mature comparably to full-term infants by 34 weeks post-conceptional age.

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Area of Science:

Neonatal development
Developmental neuroscience
Ophthalmology

Background:

Premature infants born between 28--34 weeks of gestation face unique developmental challenges.
Early visual development is crucial for cognitive and motor skill acquisition in newborns.
Assessing visual functions in preterm infants provides insights into their neurological maturation.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the development of visual tracking and pattern differentiation in premature infants.
To determine the earliest post-conceptional age at which these visual functions emerge.
To compare the maturation of visual abilities in preterm infants to full-term controls.

Main Methods:

Visual tracking and pattern differentiation were assessed in 34 premature infants (28--34 weeks gestation) within the first week of life.
Testing commenced as soon as infants were stable outside the incubator.
Visual preference methods were used to evaluate pattern differentiation.

Main Results:

Positive results for visual tracking and pattern differentiation were observed from 30 weeks post-conceptional age.
Infants showed observable preferences for patterns from 31 weeks post-conceptional age.
By 34 weeks gestation, both visual functions demonstrated maturation comparable to full-term infants.

Conclusions:

Premature infants demonstrate emerging visual tracking and pattern differentiation abilities early in neonatal life.
These visual functions mature significantly between 30-34 weeks post-conceptional age.
The study highlights the potential for comparable visual development in preterm infants reaching 34 weeks gestation.

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