title: Morphological features of retinal development in premature Chinese infants observed by computer-assisted indirect ophthalmoscope imaging.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate retinal maturation in premature infants (gestation age <37 weeks). using computer-assisted indirect ophthalmoscope imaging.
  
  
  METHODS
  Premature infants at postmenstrual age 33-46 weeks, who underwent fundus examinations using computer-aided indirect ophthalmoscopy, were stratified into seven postmenstrual-age groups. Images of macular morphology, peripheral retinal vascularization and fundus pigmentation were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study included 268 infants in the following postmenstrual-age groups: 33-34 weeks (n = 19), 35-36 weeks (n = 37), 37-38 weeks (n = 49), 39-40 weeks (n = 55), 41-42 weeks (n = 49), 43-44 weeks (n = 34), and 45-46 weeks (n = 25). The macula matured with increasing postmenstrual age. A mature macula was observed in 92% of infants at 45-46 weeks. Complete vascularization was achieved at 41-42 weeks in the nasal retina and at 43-44 weeks in the temporal retina. The number of retinas with normal pigmentation increased with postmenstrual age (rising to 84% of infants at postmenstrual age 45-46 weeks).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Following premature birth, macular morphology, retinal vascularization and retinal pigmentation continue to develop. This study provides reference images of normal retinal development in premature infants.
authors: Department of Paediatric Ophthalmology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Centre, Guangzhou, China.
authors: Feng
authors: F
authors: Chen
authors: Department of Paediatric Ophthalmology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Centre, Guangzhou, China Xiangdm35@126.com.
authors: Daoman
authors: D
authors: Xiang
authors: Department of Paediatric Ophthalmology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Centre, Guangzhou, China.
authors: Yani
authors: Y
authors: Mao
authors: Department of Paediatric Ophthalmology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Centre, Guangzhou, China.
authors: Tian
authors: T
authors: Liu
mesh_terms: D001766:Blindness / Q000151:congenital / Q000209:etiology; D002681:China; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D019721:Ophthalmoscopes; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D047928:Premature Birth; D012160:Retina / Q000196:embryology* / Q000254:growth & development; D012168:Retinal Pigments / Q000378:metabolism; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000196:embryology* / Q000254:growth & development; D012178:Retinopathy of Prematurity / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D012168:Retinal Pigments
keywords: Binocular indirect ophthalmoscope; computer-assisted imaging; premature infant; retina; retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)