Abstract
A prospective study was started to determine the effects of perinatal hypoxic events on visual development in a group VLBW infants (n=113), born between 8/1/85 and 7/31/86. Binocular visual functions were assessed in 71 out of 93 survivors. Infants with RLF were excluded. In the hypoxic group (n=44) gest.age ranged from 24.8 to 35.0 wks (29.1±5.0,-X±SD), bwt from 690 to 1495g (1120±260); in the non-hypoxic group (n=27) gest.age ranged from 28.6 to 34.3 wks (30.6±6.1), bwt from 700 to 1495 g (1145±300). Visual acuity, visual field size and optokinetic nystagmus were assessed at 8.4 to 23.0 wks of age (6.0 wks corrected age). Visual acuity with the acuity card method was significantly lower in the hypoxic group (23 min. of arc ± 0.84 octaves) than in the non-hypoxic group (17±0.47) (p<0.05. Student's t-test). Optokinetic nystagmus was asymmetric in 13 hypoxic infants and in 3 non-hypoxic infants (p<0.05, x2-test). No difference was found in visual field size. The data indicate that perinatal hypoxic events are associated with a higher incidence of visual impairment in VLBW infants at 6 weeks of corrected age. Further studies are needed regarding the effects on visual functions at later age.
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Groenendaal, F., Van Hof-Van Duin, J., Baerts, W. et al. PERINATAL HYPOXIA AND VISUAL FUNCTIONS IN VERY LOW BIRTH WEIGHT INFANTS AT 6 WEEKS OF (CORRECTED) AGE. Pediatr Res 22, 221 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198708000-00046
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198708000-00046