Vision outcome at age 2 years in a low birth weight population.
We assess the prevalence of vision problems in a cohort of low birth weight infants at age 2 years and the relationship of these problems to neonatal brain injury. Data on prenatal and neonatal history and brain injury status were prospectively collected on 721 children weighing 500-2,000 gm at birth enrolled in a multi-center, population-based longitudinal study. Visual acuity was evaluated using the Teller Acuity Card Procedure. Abnormalities of the eye were assessed by a specially trained pediatric nurse practitioner. Failure of the acuity screen occurred in 62 of 699 tested (8.9%). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the only significant independent predictors of failure included presence of disabling cerebral palsy (DCP) (odds ratio [OR] = 14.8) or nondisabling cerebral palsy (NDCP) (OR = 4.0) and Apgar score of less than 5 at 5 minutes (OR = 2.4). Parenchymal brain injury (PEL) was of borderline significance. Strabismus was present in 123 of 702 children (17.5%). Multiple logistic regression analysis disclosed that the joint predictors of strabismus were presence of DCP (OR = 7.2) and length of hospital stay (OR = 1.6). We conclude that low birth weight infants with parenchymal brain lesions leading to cerebral palsy are at particular risk for vision problems early in life and should be carefully evaluated.
Pinto-Martin
J A
JA
University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia 19104, USA.
Dobson
V
V
Cnaan
A
A
Zhao
H
H
Paneth
N S
NS
D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016015:Logistic Models; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D015351:Vision Screening; D014792:Visual Acuity