Original article
Effects of Birth Weight on Anterior Segment Measurements in Full-Term Children Without Low Birth Weight by Dual-Scheimpflug Analyzer

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo.2015.07.007Get rights and content

Purpose

To evaluate the effects of birth weight on ocular anterior segment parameters in full-term children without low birth weight using the Galilei Dual-Scheimpflug Analyzer.

Methods

The right eyes from 110 healthy children, 3–6 years of age, were scanned with the Galilei Dual-Scheimpflug Analyzer. A total of 78 eyes were measured in full-term children with birth weight of >2500 g. Central, paracentral, pericentral, and the thinnest corneal thicknesses; anterior and posterior keratometry (average, steep, flat); axial curvatures; asphericity of cornea; anterior chamber depth and volume; and iridocorneal angle values were measured. Axial length, lens thickness, and vitreous length were obtained by ultrasound biometry.

Results

The mean age of children was 55.86 ± 12.52 (mean ± SD) months. Mean birth weight and gestational age were 3426.3 ± 545 g and 39.4 ± 1.2 weeks, respectively. Although lens thickness, vitreous length, axial length, and anterior chamber volume were moderately correlated with birth weight (P < .05), there was no relationship between birth weight and anterior chamber depth. With the exception of pericentral corneal thickness, all regions of corneal thicknesses were correlated with birth weight (P < .05). Birth weight was negatively correlated with anterior curvature (P < .05) and had no relationship to posterior curvature. While central and paracentral axial curvatures correlated with birth weight (P < .05), pericentral axial curvature did not.

Conclusion

Preschoolers who were born heavier had thicker cornea and lens, longer axial length, and flatter corneal curve. The thicknesses and axial curves of central cornea within 7 mm may be particularly associated with birth weight.

Section snippets

Subjects

In this retrospective cohort study, we examined 133 healthy white children, aged 3–6 years, who visited (with their parents) our clinic for routine eye examinations between January 1, 2011 and March 28, 2013. The investigational purposes of all measurements were explained to parents, after which written informed consents were obtained from both parents of each participating child. The study was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey

Results

Descriptive statistics of all subjects for age; spherical equivalant; central, paracentral, pericentral, and thinnest corneal thicknesses; posterior corneal curvature; total corneal power; central, paracentral, and pericentral axial curvatures; asphericities (anterior and posterior); anterior chamber depth; anterior chamber volume; superior, temporal, inferior, and nasal iridocorneal angles; lens thickness; vitreous length; and axial length are shown in Table 2.

Means of age, birth weight, and

Discussion

During the last trimester of gestation, accelerated fetal weight gain and rapid growth of ocular structures occur. Low birth weight, therefore, may be assumed to be a marker of adverse intrauterine development and growth. It has been shown that both low birth weight and prematurity have important and significant effects on posterior segment structures (eg, fovea, macula, retinal nerve fiber layer, and optic disc).22, 23 In the study, we examined the association between birth weight and anterior

Volkan Yeter, MD, is an ophthalmologist at Neon Hospital, Erzincan, Turkey. Dr Yeter graduated in medicine from Hacettepe University in 2006 and has completed his residency in ophthalmology at Ondokuz Mayıs University in 2011. He is a member of the Turkish Council of Ophthalmology. His research interests include the study of corneal and retinal development and pediatric ophthalmology.

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      Furthermore, other studies reported that ROP contributes to an increase in CCT in newborns independent of prematurity.12 A few studies have evaluated the long-term effects of low BW as a proxy for prematurity on CCT in childhood16 and adolescence17,18 suggesting a decrease in CCT over time. Recently, the Gutenberg Health Study demonstrated in a population-based chohrt that a low BW (<2500 g) is associated with central cornea thinning in adulthood19,20 while less effects were observed on peripheral corneal thickness.20

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    Volkan Yeter, MD, is an ophthalmologist at Neon Hospital, Erzincan, Turkey. Dr Yeter graduated in medicine from Hacettepe University in 2006 and has completed his residency in ophthalmology at Ondokuz Mayıs University in 2011. He is a member of the Turkish Council of Ophthalmology. His research interests include the study of corneal and retinal development and pediatric ophthalmology.

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