Daniela Ricci1, Simona Lucibello2, Lorenzo Orazi3, Francesca Gallini4, Susanna Staccioli5, Francesca Serrao4, Giorgia Olivieri2, Michela Quintiliani2, Serena Sivo2, Valeria Rossi2, Daniela Leone2, Gloria Ferrantini2, Domenico M Romeo2, Simonetta Frezza4, Giulia Maria Amorelli6, Fernando Molle7, Giovanni Vento4, Domenico Lepore7, Eugenio Mercuri8. 1. Paediatric Neurology and Psychiatry, Catholic University, Largo A. Gemelli 8, Rome, Italy; National Centre of Services and Research for Prevention of Blindness and Rehabilitation of Visually Impaired, Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, Rome, Italy. 2. Paediatric Neurology and Psychiatry, Catholic University, Largo A. Gemelli 8, Rome, Italy. 3. National Centre of Services and Research for Prevention of Blindness and Rehabilitation of Visually Impaired, Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, Rome, Italy; Institute of Ophthalmology, Catholic University, Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli, Largo A. Gemelli 8, Rome, Italy. 4. Division of Neonatology, Catholic University, Largo A. Gemelli, 8, 00168 Rome, Italy. 5. Paediatric Neurology and Psychiatry, Catholic University, Largo A. Gemelli 8, Rome, Italy; Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS Via Torre di Palidoro, Rome, Italy. 6. Institute of Ophthalmology, Catholic University, Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli, Largo A. Gemelli 8, Rome, Italy. 7. Institute of Ophthalmology, Catholic University, Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli, Largo A. Gemelli 8, Rome, Italy; Institute of Ophthalmology, Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, Rome, Italy. 8. Paediatric Neurology and Psychiatry, Catholic University, Largo A. Gemelli 8, Rome, Italy; Pediatric Neurology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo A. Gemelli 8, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: eugeniomaria.mercuri@unicatt.it.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is often associated with visual impairment and multiple developmental disabilities. AIMS: As most of the previous studies include infants with brain lesions, that can determine visual impairment per se, a cohort of low neurological risk preterm infants without ROP and with various degree of severity of ROP was assessed in order to establish visual and neurodevelopmental outcome. STUDY DESIGN: Preterm infants born at <31 weeks gestation, without major brain lesions, underwent visual function assessment at 1 year corrected age and neurodevelopmental assessment at 2 years corrected age. SUBJECTS: One hundred and five infants were included in the study: 42 infants did not develop ROP, 7 reached stage 1 in zone 2 ROP, 37 reached prethreshold (untreated) type 2 ROP. The remaining 19 infants were classified as type 1 ROP. OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual function (including fixing, tracking, visual acuity, visual field, attention at distance and nystagmus) were assessed at 12 months corrected age and Griffiths Scales at 2 years corrected age. RESULTS: The severity of ROP was strongly correlated (p < 0.001) with both visual function at 1 year and neurodevelopment at 2 years. Similarly, the presence of nystagmus was also strongly correlated with visual and neurodevelopmental sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: Infants with no or milder retinopathy showed normal visual function at 1 year and neurodevelopment at 2 years. Infants who underwent treatment more frequently showed abnormal results on several aspects of visual function. Presence of nystagmus appeared to increase the risk for abnormal visual function and neurodevelopmental outcome.
BACKGROUND:Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is often associated with visual impairment and multiple developmental disabilities. AIMS: As most of the previous studies include infants with brain lesions, that can determine visual impairment per se, a cohort of low neurological risk preterm infants without ROP and with various degree of severity of ROP was assessed in order to establish visual and neurodevelopmental outcome. STUDY DESIGN: Preterm infants born at <31 weeks gestation, without major brain lesions, underwent visual function assessment at 1 year corrected age and neurodevelopmental assessment at 2 years corrected age. SUBJECTS: One hundred and five infants were included in the study: 42 infants did not develop ROP, 7 reached stage 1 in zone 2 ROP, 37 reached prethreshold (untreated) type 2 ROP. The remaining 19 infants were classified as type 1 ROP. OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual function (including fixing, tracking, visual acuity, visual field, attention at distance and nystagmus) were assessed at 12 months corrected age and Griffiths Scales at 2 years corrected age. RESULTS: The severity of ROP was strongly correlated (p < 0.001) with both visual function at 1 year and neurodevelopment at 2 years. Similarly, the presence of nystagmus was also strongly correlated with visual and neurodevelopmental sequelae. CONCLUSIONS:Infants with no or milder retinopathy showed normal visual function at 1 year and neurodevelopment at 2 years. Infants who underwent treatment more frequently showed abnormal results on several aspects of visual function. Presence of nystagmus appeared to increase the risk for abnormal visual function and neurodevelopmental outcome.
Authors: Victoria A A Beunders; Marijn J Vermeulen; Jorine A Roelants; Nienke Rietema; Renate M C Swarte; Irwin K M Reiss; Johan J M Pel; Koen F M Joosten; Marlou J G Kooiker Journal: Pediatr Res Date: 2020-10-18 Impact factor: 3.756