Retinal structure assessed by OCT as a biomarker of brain development in children born small for gestational age.
To identify differences in neuronal tissue from retinal and brain structures in children born small for gestational age (SGA) with no abnormality in neonatal brain ultrasonography and no previous neurological impairment, and to evaluate the relationship between retinal structure and brain changes in school-age children born SGA.



Two cohorts of children were recruited: 25 children born SGA and 25 children born with an appropriate birth weight according to gestational age. All the children underwent an ophthalmic examination, which included retinal imaging using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, and a brain MRI. MRI images were automatically segmented and global and regional brain volumes were obtained.



Although visual function did not differ between both groups, the complex ganglion cell and inner plexiform layers (GCL-IPL) was thinner in SGA children. Total intracranial volume, and global grey and white matter volumes in brain and cerebellum were correlated with birthweight centile, as were certain regional volumes (temporal and parietal lobes, hippocampus and putamen). Abnormal GCL-IPL measurements accurately identified SGA children with the most severe grey and white matter changes in the brain.



SGA children, both preterm and term born, showed evidence of structural abnormalities in the retina, which may be an accurate and non-invasive biomarker of neuronal damage in brain tissue.
Aragon Institute for Health Research (IIS Aragón), Ophthalmology Department, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain.
Victoria
V
Pueyo
Aragon Institute for Health Research (IIS Aragón), Ophthalmology Department, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain.
Teresa
T
Pérez
Aragon Institute for Health Research (IIS Aragón), Ophthalmology Department, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain.
Inmaculada
I
González
Aragon Institute for Health Research (IIS Aragón), Ophthalmology Department, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain.
Irene
I
Altemir
Aragon Institute for Health Research (IIS Aragón), Ophthalmology Department, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain.
Galadriel
G
Gimenez
Aragon Institute for Health Research (IIS Aragón), Ophthalmology Department, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain.
Esther
E
Prieto
Aragon Institute for Health Research (IIS Aragón), Obstetrics Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
Cristina
C
Paules
Aragon Institute for Health Research (IIS Aragón), Obstetrics Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
Daniel
D
Oros
Aragon Institute for Health Research (IIS Aragón), Neuropaediatric Unit, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain.
Javier
J
Lopez-Pison
Radiology Department, Quirónsalud Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain.
Nicolás
N
Fayed
Unidad de Ingeniería Biomédica. Hospital Quirónsalud, Valencia, Spain.|CIBERSAM, Institute of Health Carlos III, Valencia, Spain.
Gracián
G
Garcia-Martí
Unidad de Ingeniería Biomédica. Hospital Quirónsalud, Valencia, Spain.
Roberto
R
Sanz-Requena
Aragon Institute for Health Research (IIS Aragón), Radiolology Department, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain.
Miguel Angel
MA
Marin
D000293:Adolescent; D015415:Biomarkers; D001724:Birth Weight; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age / Q000254:growth & development*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000473:pathology*; D047928:Premature Birth; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D047929:Term Birth; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology
D015415:Biomarkers
Child health (paediatrics); Imaging; Optic Nerve; Retina