title: A novel method for examining corneal endothelial cell morphology in infants.
abstract: Previous studies have suggested that central corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) decreases from 6,100 cells/mm2in neonates to 3,100 cells/mm2in 10-year-olds. Currently data on ECD in young children as well as the trend for ECD decrease during childhood is sparse because of the difficulty of examination using existing clinic-based specular microscopes. We developed a novel method of imaging young children intraoperatively with the goal of beginning to establish age-specific normative data for ECD and hexagonality of cells (%HEX). Children were imaged using our novel technique under general anesthesia or awake in clinic using a child-friendly technique. A total of 58 children were recruited (mean age, 5.50; range, 0.44-10.36). Our cohort displayed a significant linear decrease in ECD with age (r = -0.56, P < 0.001). No correlation was found between %HEX and age (r = -0.10, P = 0.48).
authors.affiliation: The University of Leicester Ulverscroft Eye Unit, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Sohaib R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Rufai
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Nicole Y
authors.initials: NY
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Ramez
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Barbara
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Rachael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hartrey
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom; University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom. Electronic address: J.E.Self@soton.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Jay E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Self
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D002452:Cell Count; D048430:Cell Shape; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological / Q000295:instrumentation; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy / Q000295:instrumentation; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values