Periventricular leukomalacia causes visual impairment in preterm children. A study on the aetiologies of visual impairment in a population-based group of preterm children born 1989-95 in the county of Värmland, Sweden.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the causes of visual impairment in a population-based group of visually impaired preterm children.


METHODS
Ophthalmological examination and magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography of the brain were performed in all visually impaired preterm children born 1989-95 in Värmland.


RESULTS
Ten of 18 children had periventricular leukomalacia affecting the optic radiation, six had other lesions or malformations in the posterior visual pathways/cortex, but no child had visually impairing retinopathy of prematurity.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that cerebral lesions or malformations are common causes of the visual functional deficit in visually impaired children born preterm. Brain damage should be suspected in a prematurely born child who presents with either of the signs: fixation difficulties, strabismus or nystagmus.
Jacobson
L
L
Department of Paediatric Ophthalmology, St Erik's Eye Hospital, Karolinska Institute and Tomteboda Resourse Centre, Stockholm, Sweden.
Lundin
S
S
Flodmark
O
O
Ellström
K G
KG
D000328:Adult; D001766:Blindness / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007969:Leukomalacia, Periventricular / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014792:Visual Acuity