Early postnatal growth variables are related to morphologic and functional ophthalmologic outcome in children born preterm.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the association between gestational age (GA), early and late postnatal growth variables and ophthalmologic outcome in ex-preterm children. methods: Children (GA < 32 weeks, n = 66), previously examined regarding insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) serum concentrations in relation to ROP, underwent ophthalmologic examination at median 5.6 years. Weight, height, and head circumference (HC) were measured and expressed as SDS. Growth variables were analysed in relation to ophthalmologic outcome.


RESULTS
At follow-up 74% had some ophthalmologic abnormality and 17% had visual impairment. Poor visual acuity was correlated with low GA (r(s) = 0.29, p = 0.019), low weight at 32 weeks (r(s) = 0.30, p = 0.013), and low weight (r(s) = 0.37, p = 0.0025), height (r(s) = 0.41, p = 0.0007) and HC (r(s) = 0.55, p < 0.0001) at follow-up. Hyperopic children (25%) had low neonatal IGF-1 (p = 0.0096) and HC at follow-up (p = 0.022). Poor visual perception was correlated with low early weight (r(s) = 0.38, p = 0.0036) and HC at follow-up (r(s) = 0.39, p = 0.0024). Head circumference at follow-up was correlated with GA (r(s) = 0.40, p = 0.0012), neonatal IGF-1 (r(s) = 0.37, p = 0.0031), and early weight (r(s) = 0.27, p = 0.035).


CONCLUSIONS
In very preterm children, early and later postnatal growth is closely related to visual acuity and perception at follow-up. In addition, IGF-1 concentrations and early growth are correlated with head circumference and refraction at follow-up.
Hök-Wikstrand
M
M
Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, SwedenDepartment of Pediatrics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Hård
A-L
AL
Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, SwedenDepartment of Pediatrics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Niklasson
A
A
Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, SwedenDepartment of Pediatrics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Hellström
A
A
Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, SwedenDepartment of Pediatrics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005865:Gestational Age; D006257:Head / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D013285:Strabismus / Q000453:epidemiology; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014792:Visual Acuity