scholarly journals Is Prematurity a Risk Factor for Refractive Errors in Children? Results from School Vision Screening Program

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (42) ◽  
pp. 2380-2383
Author(s):  
Kajal Seema Sukumaran ◽  
Jayalekshmi Thankamma ◽  
Prasenna Meleaveetil ◽  
Kavitha Syamala
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Preterm Infants ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Screening Program ◽  
Refractive Errors ◽  
Vision Screening ◽  
School Vision ◽  
Preterm Group

BACKGROUND The prevalence of refractive errors is reported to be higher in children born preterm. Factors like gestational age, birth weight and retinopathy of prematurity status have a significant impact on the refractive development in preterm infants. Population based long term follow up studies on the refractive status in preterm infants are limited. We designed this study to assess whether prematurity is a risk factor for refractive errors in children. METHODS This study was conducted among children aged 5 - 16 years who participated in the school vision screening program over a period of one year. All children underwent detailed ocular examination including measurement of best corrected visual acuity, cycloplegic refraction and fundoscopy. Visual acuity was assessed using an internally illuminated Snellen’s chart at 6 meters. Objective refraction by streak retinoscopy after instilling 1 % cyclopentolate eye drops was done in all children with visual acuity ≤ 6 / 9. Children were divided into two groups based on their gestational age at birth - preterm group and full-term group. Preterm birth was defined as childbirth before 37 completed weeks of gestation. Children were enrolled in the study only if the hospital birth document showing gestational age and birth weight was available. Children with co-existing organic disease affecting the eye contributing to the diminished visual acuity such as congenital cataract, glaucoma, and corneal opacities were excluded from the study. Those who had undergone any ocular surgery were also excluded. RESULTS One thousand two hundred and ninety-five children were enrolled in the study of which 700 (54.1 %) were boys and 595 (45.9 %) were girls. Median age of the enrolled children was 12 years. The number of pre-term births was 287 (22.2 %). Of the 1295 students screened, 273 (21 %) had refractive errors. Among the children with refractive errors, astigmatism was the most common refractive error (10.6 %), followed by myopia (8.5 %) and hypermetropia (1.9 %). Refractive errors were statistically more prevalent in preterm group (34.1 %), when compared with term born children (17.3 %), p = < 0.001. Compared to the term born children, preterm group had significantly higher prevalence of myopia; 16.4 % vs 6.3 % (p = < 0.001) and astigmatism; 15.3 % vs 9.3% (p = 0.003). There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of hypermetropia among the two groups; 2.4 vs. 1.8 (p = 0.477). CONCLUSIONS There is strong association between prematurity and refractive errors. These findings prompt long term monitoring of the refractive and visual outcome in preterm infants for diagnosing refractive errors at the earliest. This helps to prevent the consequent amblyopia and the ensuing permanent visual function deficits. KEYWORDS Prematurity, Refractive Error, Myopia, Hypermetropia, Astigmatism

scholarly journals Epidemiological Findings of Refractive Errors and Amblyopia among the Schoolchildren in Hatta Region of the United Arab Emirates

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Salam Chettian Kandi ◽  
Hayat Ahmad Khan
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Visual Field ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Refractive Error ◽  
Screening Program ◽  
Low Vision ◽  
Refractive Errors ◽  
Vision Screening ◽  
Screening Programs ◽  
School Based

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Uncorrected refractive errors and amblyopia pose a major problem affecting schoolchildren. We had previously observed that many schoolchildren in the Hatta region presented to the ophthalmology clinic with uncorrected refractive errors and amblyopia, which led us to undertake this research. As per the WHO, the term “visual impairment” can be “low vision” or “blindness.” Based on the presenting vision, “low vision” is defined for children who have vision of &#x3c;6/18 to 3/60 or having visual field loss to &#x3c;20° in the better-seeing eye. Children defined to have “blindness” have presenting vision of &#x3c;3/60 or corresponding visual field of &#x3c;10°. <b><i>Purpose:</i></b> To estimate the magnitude of uncorrected refractive errors and amblyopia among the schoolchildren aged 6–19 years and to assess the efficacy of school-based refractive error screening programs in the Hatta region of the United Arab Emirates. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> An epidemiological, cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted on the entire student population studying in the government schools of the region. Those who failed the Snellen visual acuity chart test and those who were wearing spectacles were evaluated comprehensively by the researcher in the Department of Ophthalmology of the Hatta Hospital. Data were entered in the Refractive Error Study in School Children (RESC) eye examination form recommended by the WHO, and were later transferred to Excel sheets and analyzed by SPSS. <b><i>Results:</i></b> 1,591 students were screened and evaluated from the end of 2016 to mid-2017. About 21.37% (<i>n</i> = 340) had impaired vision with 20.9% (<i>n</i> = 333) refractive errors, of which 58% were uncorrected. Among the refractive error group, 19% (64 subjects) had amblyopia (4% of total students). The incidence of low vision was 9.5% and blindness was 0.38%. Low vision was found to be 9.5% and blindness 0.38%, taking in to account presenting visual acuity rather than best-corrected visual acuity for defining low vision and blindness. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> A significant number of students were detected to have uncorrected refractive errors among the vision impaired group (59%, <i>n</i> = 197) despite a school-based vision screening program in place. Seventy-eight percent of the amblyopia cases (<i>n</i> = 50) were found to be in the 11–19 years age group. Noncompliance with optical corrections was the reason for the high number of cases. A rigorous vision screening program and refractive services, complimented with awareness among parents and teachers, are recommended.

Implementing a School Vision Screening Program in Botswana Using Smartphone Technology

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 255-258
Author(s):  
Tomas Andersen ◽  
Maipelo Jeremiah ◽  
Keitumetse Thamane ◽  
Ryan Littman-Quinn ◽  
Zambo Dikai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Screening Program ◽  
Vision Screening ◽  
School Vision ◽  
Smartphone Technology

scholarly journals LONG TERM NEURODEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME IN A COHORT OF PRETERM INFANTS BORN AT GESTATIONAL AGE <32 WEEKS

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 53 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.G. Gatti ◽  
S. Perrone ◽  
S. Badii ◽  
E. Becucci ◽  
G. Turrisi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Preterm Infants ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Outcome

Early postnatal hyperglycaemia is a risk factor for treatment-demanding retinopathy of prematurity

2017 ◽  
Vol 102 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carina Slidsborg ◽  
Louise Bering Jensen ◽  
Steen Christian Rasmussen ◽  
Hans Callø Fledelius ◽  
Gorm Greisen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Preterm Infants ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Retinopathy Of Prematurity ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Multivariate Logistic Regression Model ◽  
Multiple Birth ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Matching Criteria

BackgroundTo investigate whether neonatal hyperglycaemia in the first postnatal week is associated with treatment-demanding retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).MethodsThis is a Danish national, retrospective, case–control study of premature infants (birth period 2003–2006). Three national registers were searched, and data were linked through a unique civil registration number. The study sample consisted of 106 cases each matched with two comparison infants. Matching criteria were gestational age (GA) at birth, ROP not registered and born at the same neonatal intensive care unit. Potential ‘new’ risk factors were analysed in a multivariate logistic regression model, while adjusted for previously recognised risk factors (ie, GA at birth, small for gestational age, multiple birth and male sex).ResultsHospital records of 310 preterm infants (106 treated; 204 comparison infants) were available. Nutrition in terms of energy (kcal/kg/week) and protein (g/kg/week) given to the preterm infants during the first postnatal week were statistically insignificant between the study groups (Mann-Whitney U test; p=0.165/p=0.163). Early postnatal weight gain between the two study groups was borderline significant (t-test; p=0.047). Hyperglycaemic events (indexed value) were statistically significantly different between the two study groups (Mann-Whitney U test; p<0.001). Hyperglycaemia was a statistically independent risk factor (OR: 1.022; 95% CI 1.002 to 1.042; p=0.031).ConclusionAn independent association was found between the occurrence of hyperglycaemic events during the first postnatal week and later development of treatment-demanding ROP, when adjusted for known risk factors.

Long-term effects of neonatal hypoglycemia on brain growth and psychomotor development in small-for-gestational-age preterm infants

1999 ◽  
Vol 134 (4) ◽  
pp. 492-498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cécile Besson Duvanel ◽  
Claire-Lise Fawer ◽  
Jacques Cotting ◽  
Patrick Hohlfeld ◽  
Jean-Marie Matthieu
Keyword(s):  
Preterm Infants ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Small For Gestational Age ◽  
Psychomotor Development ◽  
Brain Growth ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Neonatal Hypoglycemia

scholarly journals Community-Based Hearing and Vision Screening in Schools in Low-Income Communities Using Mobile Health Technologies

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Michelle Manus ◽  
Jeannie van der Linde ◽  
Hannah Kuper ◽  
Renate Olinger ◽  
De Wet Swanepoel
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Screening Program ◽  
Hearing Screening ◽  
Vision Screening ◽  
Health Technologies

Introduction Globally, more than 50 million children have hearing or vision loss. Most of these sensory losses are identified late due to a lack of systematic screening, making treatment and rehabilitation less effective. Mobile health (mHealth), which is the use of smartphones or wireless devices in health care, can improve access to screening services. mHealth technologies allow lay health workers (LHWs) to provide hearing and vision screening in communities. Purpose The aim of the study was to evaluate a hearing and vision school screening program facilitated by LHWs using smartphone applications in a low-income community in South Africa. Method Three LHWs were trained to provide dual sensory screening using smartphone-based applications. The hearScreen app with calibrated headphones was used to conduct screening audiometry, and the Peek Acuity app was used for visual acuity screening. Schools were selected from low-income communities (Gauteng, South Africa), and children aged between 4 and 9 years received hearing and vision screening. Screening outcomes, associated variables, and program costs were evaluated. Results A total of 4,888 and 4,933 participants received hearing and vision screening, respectively. Overall, 1.6% of participants failed the hearing screening, and 3.6% failed visual acuity screening. Logistic regression showed that female participants were more likely to pass hearing screening ( OR = 1.61, 95% CI [1.11, 2.54]), while older children were less likely to pass visual acuity screening ( OR = 0.87, 95% CI [0.79, 0.96]). A third (32.5%) of referred cases followed up for air-conduction threshold audiometry, and one in four (25.1%) followed up for diagnostic vision testing. A high proportion of these cases were confirmed to have hearing (73.1%, 19/26) or vision loss (57.8%, 26/45). Conclusions mHealth technologies can enable LHWs to identify school-age children with hearing and/or vision loss in low-income communities. This approach allows for low-cost, scalable models for early detection of sensory losses that can affect academic performance.

Maternal age and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm infants < 29 weeks gestational age

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia DiLabio ◽  
◽  
Jill G. Zwicker ◽  
Rebecca Sherlock ◽  
Sibasis Daspal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Preterm Infants ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Maternal Age ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Outcomes

Predictors of Long-Term Outcome in Very Preterm Infants: Gestational Age Versus Neonatal Cranial Ultrasound

PEDIATRICS ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 112 (5) ◽  
pp. 1108-1114 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Vollmer ◽  
S. Roth ◽  
J. Baudin ◽  
A. L. Stewart ◽  
B. G. R. Neville ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Preterm Infants ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Cranial Ultrasound ◽  
Term Outcome ◽  
Long Term Outcome ◽  
Very Preterm Infants ◽  
Very Preterm

scholarly journals Novel Diffuse White Matter Abnormality Biomarker at Term-Equivalent Age Enhances Prediction of Long-term Motor Development in Children Born Very Preterm

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nehal A Parikh ◽  
Karen Harpster ◽  
Lili He ◽  
Venkata Sita Priyanka Illapani ◽  
Fatima Chughtai Khalid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Preterm Infants ◽  
Gestational Age ◽  
Motor Development ◽  
Prognostic Biomarker ◽  
White Matter Abnormality ◽  
Very Preterm Infants ◽  
Equivalent Age ◽  
Very Preterm ◽  
Diffuse White Matter

Our objective was to evaluate the independent prognostic value of a novel MRI biomarker − objectively diagnosed diffuse white matter abnormality volume (DWMA; diffuse excessive high signal intensity) − for prediction of motor outcomes in very preterm infants. We prospectively enrolled a geographically-based cohort of very preterm infants without severe brain injury and born before 32 weeks gestational age. Structural brain MRI was obtained at term-equivalent age and DWMA volume was objectively quantified using a published validated algorithm. These results were compared with visually classified DWMA. We used multivariable linear regression to assess the value of DWMA volume, independent of known predictors, to predict motor development as assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant & Toddler Development, Third Edition at 3 years of age. The mean (SD) gestational age of the cohort was 28.3 (2.4) weeks. In multivariable analyses, controlling for gestational age, sex, and abnormality on structural MRI, DWMA volume was an independent prognostic biomarker of Bayley Motor scores (β= −12.59 [95% CI: −18.70, −6.48] R2=0.41). Conversely, visually classified DWMA was not predictive of motor development. In conclusion, objectively quantified DWMA is an independent prognostic biomarker of long-term motor development in very preterm infants and warrants further study.

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