Impact of birth parameters on eye size in a population-based study of 6-year-old Australian children.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of birth parameters, including birth weight, birth length, and birth head circumference on ocular dimensions in 6-year-old children.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
A stratified random cluster sample of 6-year-old Sydney school-students (n = 1765) were participants in this study. Children had ocular dimensions measured with non-contact methods (Zeiss IOLMaster, Zeiss, Meditec-AG, Jena, Germany). Information on birth weight, height, and head circumference was derived from a questionnaire.


RESULTS
After adjusting for cluster, age, and gender, children with birth weight <2500 g had mean axial length 22.46 mm (95% confidence interval [CI], 22.20-22.72) and mean corneal radius 7.70 mm (CI 7.61-7.79). This compared with axial length 22.80 mm (CI 22.70-22.90) and mean corneal radius 7.85 mm (CI 7.81-7.89) for children with birth weight > or =4000 g. Axial length and corneal radius were also related to birth length and head circumference. Refraction, however, was unrelated to birth size.


CONCLUSIONS
Birth parameters have a lasting effect on eye size but not on spherical equivalent refraction.
Ojaimi
Elvis
E
Department of Ophthalmology, Westmead Millennium Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead NSW, Australia.
Robaei
Dana
D
Rochtchina
Elena
E
Rose
Kathryn A
KA
Morgan
Ian G
IG
Mitchell
Paul
P
D001699:Biometry; D001724:Birth Weight; D001824:Body Constitution; D002508:Cephalometry; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005123:Eye / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009216:Myopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology