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Visual outcome of low-birth-weight infants (1500-2500 g) at one year of corrected age
A J Hermans1, J Van Hof-van Duin, A M Oudesluys-Murphy
1Department of Physiology I, Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Insights
Most low-birth-weight infants show normal visual functions by one year of corrected age. Visual deficits were uncommon and unlikely to cause disability in this cohort.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Neonatology
Background:
- Low-birth-weight (LBW) infants, defined as those weighing 1500-2500 grams, represent a significant neonatal population requiring careful monitoring for developmental outcomes.
- Visual development is a critical aspect of early childhood, and potential deficits in LBW infants warrant thorough investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To longitudinally assess visual functions in a cohort of low-birth-weight infants at one year of corrected age.
- To determine the prevalence of visual deficits and identify potential risk factors influencing visual development in this population.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study evaluated 96 low-birth-weight infants at one year of corrected age.
- Visual functions assessed included grating acuity, visual field size, optokinetic nystagmus, and eye alignment.
Main Results:
- Deficit rates for most visual functions were low, comparable to those in full-term infants.
- No significant effects of gestational duration, birth weight, or intrauterine growth retardation on visual functions were observed.
- Perinatal risk factors and suboptimal neurodevelopmental status had minimal impact on visual field size.
Conclusions:
- Low-birth-weight infants generally do not appear to be at increased risk for developing visual deficits by one year of corrected age.
- The observed visual deficits are unlikely to result in significant disability, suggesting a positive visual prognosis for most LBW infants.
Abstract:
Visual functions (grating acuity, visual field size, optokinetic nystagmus and eye alignment) were tested as part of a longitudinal study in 96 low-birth-weight infants (birth weight 1500-2500 g) at one year of corrected age. Except for optokinetic nystagmus, deficit rates of all visual functions were low, and the obtained values comparable with normal age values in full-term infants. Effects of gestational duration, birth weight and intrauterine growth retardation on visual functions could not be demonstrated. Some perinatal risk factors (mechanical ventilation, oxygen treatment for more than one day, the presence of maternal hypertensive disorders) and a less-optimal neurodevelopmental status at one year had a negligible effect on visual field size. The observed deficits are not likely to cause disability. Low-birth-weight infants appeared not to be at risk for developing visual deficits at one year of corrected age.