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Impaired cognitive ability at 2.5 years predicts later visual and ophthalmological problems in children born very preterm
Author(s) -
Hreinsdottir Jonina,
Fredriksson Kaul Ylva,
HellströmWestas Lena,
Rosander Kerstin,
Hofsten Claes,
Holmström Gerd
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/apa.14209
Subject(s) - medicine , retinopathy of prematurity , pediatrics , periventricular leukomalacia , gestational age , visual acuity , strabismus , cognition , ophthalmology , pregnancy , genetics , psychiatry , biology
Aim To identify possible predictive factors for visual problems at 6.5 years in children born very preterm. Methods During 2004–2007, all very preterm infants (gestational age [GA] <32 weeks) in Uppsala County, Sweden were screened for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) neonatally; at four months, visual tracking was tested; at 2.5 years, visuospatial and cognitive tests were carried out. At 6.5 years, 84 preterm children and a reference group of 64 full‐term children underwent ophthalmological testing. Results Mean visual acuity (VA) did not differ between the groups, but subnormal VA (≤0.8) was more common in the preterm group (31% vs 14%; p < 0.05). More often than full‐term children, preterm children had impaired contrast sensitivity (<0.5) (36% vs 19%; p < 0.05) and strabismus (8% vs 0%; p < 0.05). Low GA, ROP, intraventricular haemorrhage 3‐4/periventricular leukomalacia and cognitive disability at 2.5 years predicted ophthalmological and visual problems at 6.5 years. Visual tracking ability at four months was not predictive of ophthalmological outcome. Conclusion Children born preterm had more ophthalmological problems at 6.5 years of age, including subtle dysfunctions. ROP, early brain injury and impaired cognitive function around 2.5 years predicted later ophthalmological dysfunctions.