To Örebro University

PURPOSE: To study ocular morphology and visual function in relation to general growth in moderate-to-late preterm (MLP) children.

METHODS: Visual acuity (VA), refraction, optic disc parameters, biometric values and anthropometric measures were obtained from 50 eight-year-old MLP and 43 full-term children. Macular parameters were examined by optical coherence tomography. Serum insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels were analysed at birth and at assessment and delta IGF-I was calculated.

RESULTS: Total macular volume was significantly less in MLP than in controls (both eyes p < 0.01). Macular volume correlated with head circumference (HCF) at assessment [right eye (RE) p = 0.002, r = 0.67; left eyes (LE) p = 0.01, r = 0.54] and refraction (both eyes p < 0.05, r = 0.4) in the MLP children. Furthermore, central retinal thickness correlated significantly with delta IGF-I (RE p = 0.03, r = -0.51, LE p = 0.006, r = -0.59) and refraction (both eyes p < 0.01, r = 0.5) and optic disc areas correlated with weight and height at assessment (all p < 0.05, r = 0.4). Total axial length correlated with HCF at assessment (both eyes p < 0.01, r = 0.5) and VA logMAR (both eyes p < 0.02, r = -0.4).

CONCLUSIONS: Macular volume was significantly less in MLP children than in controls examined at 8 years of age. General growth of children and IGF-I levels seem to be involved in development of ocular growth and morphology.