The influence of low birth weight on the prevalence of refractive errors among schoolchildren.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to determine in a large population whether low birth weight has an influence on the prevalence of refractive errors among schoolchildren.


METHODS
3663 schoolchildren were examined (1738 boys and 1925 girls, aged 6-17 years, mean age 11.1, SD = 3.2). The weight at birth was 1500-2500 grams (mean 2184, SD = 271) in 254 and more than 2500 grams (mean 3398, SD = 441) in the remaining 3409 children. Skiascopy with cycloplegia was done and refractive error readings were reported as the spherical equivalent (SE). Myopia was defined as SE < or = -0.5 D, hyperopia as SE > or = +1.5 D. Anisometropia was diagnosed when the difference in the refraction of both eyes was > 1.0 D. The parents completed a questionnaire on the child's weight and term of birth. Data analysis was performed using chi-square test. P values of less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.


RESULTS
Hyperopia was observed more frequently in 6-7 year-old children whose birth weight was > 2500 grams (p < 0.05) - table 1. Additionally, it was found that anisometropia was less frequent in 10-11 year-old children whose birth weight was > 2500 g (p < 0.05) - table 2.


CONCLUSIONS
Low birth weight may have an effect on the prevalence of refractive errors among schoolchidren.
Czepita
Damian
D
Department of Ophthalmology, Pomeranian Medical University al. Powstańców Wlkp. 72, 70-111 Szczecin.
Zejmo
Maria
M
Mojsa
Artur
A
D000293:Adolescent; D015984:Causality; D002648:Child; D015897:Comorbidity; D005124:Eye Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012029:Refraction, Ocular / Q000502:physiology*; D012030:Refractive Errors / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012178:Retinopathy of Prematurity / Q000453:epidemiology