Visual function in adults born preterm with very low birth weight—A two‐country birth cohort study

Кулмала, Мэри; Jørgensen, Anna Perregaard Munch; Aakvik, Kristina Anna Djupvik; Jussinniemi, Laura; Benum, Silje Dahl; Ingvaldsen, Sigrid Hegna; Austeng, Dordi; Kajantie, Eero; Evensen, Kari Anne I.; Majander, Anna; Morken, Tora Sund

doi:10.1111/aos.15683

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 30 publications

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“…For example, two review articles have shown that adolescents and adults born VP/VLBW have more motor impairments compared with term-born controls [ 6 , 41 ]. Secondly and relatedly, motor difficulties could also be associated with visual problems found in adolescence [ 42 ] and adulthood [ 43 , 44 ]. These conditions may affect the ability to perform everyday life functional activities including a physically active lifestyle [ 9 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical activity and cognitive function in adults born very preterm or with very low birth weight–an individual participant data meta-analysis

Aakvik,

Benum,

Tikanmäki

et al. 2024

PLoS ONE

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Objective Individuals born very preterm (<32 weeks of gestation) or with very low birthweight (<1500g) have lower cognitive function compared with term-born peers. Furthermore, some studies suggest that they are less physically active as young adults than controls, but the relationship between physical activity and cognitive function remains unclear. We performed an individual participant data meta-analysis to examine whether being born preterm/with very low birth weight is associated with physical activity in adulthood and examined if cognitive function mediates this association. Study design Cohorts with data on physical activity and cognitive function in adults born very preterm/very low birth weight and term-born controls were recruited from the Research on European Children and Adults Born Preterm, and the Adults Born Preterm International Collaboration Consortia. A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed and Embase. Results Five cohorts with 1644 participants aged 22–28 years (595 very preterm/very low birth weight and 1049 controls) were included. Adults born very preterm/very low birth weight reported 1.11 (95% CI: 0.68 to 1.54) hours less moderate to vigorous physical activity per week than controls, adjusted for cohort, age and sex. The difference between individuals born very preterm/very low birth weight and controls was larger among women than among men. Neither intelligence quotient nor self-reported executive function mediated the association between very preterm/very low birth weight and moderate to vigorous physical activity. Results were essentially the same when we excluded individuals with neurosensory impairments. Conclusion Adults born very preterm/very low birth weight, especially women, reported less moderate to vigorous physical activity than their term-born peers. Cognitive function did not mediate this association. Considering the risk of adverse health outcomes among individuals born preterm, physical activity could be a target for intervention.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical activity and cognitive function in adults born very preterm or with very low birth weight–an individual participant data meta-analysis

Aakvik,

Benum,

Tikanmäki

et al. 2024

PLoS ONE

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Foveal thickness and its association with visual acuity in adults born preterm with very low birth weight: A two‐country birth cohort study

Jørgensen,

Kulmala,

Austeng

et al. 2024

Acta Ophthalmologica

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PurposeTo explore foveal and parafoveal thickness in adults born preterm with very low birth weight (VLBW) and its association with best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and gestational age (GA) compared to adults born at term.MethodsIn a joint study of the Helsinki Study of Very Low Birth Weight Adults (Finland) and the NTNU Low Birth Weight Life study (Norway), 106 VLBW and 143 term‐born controls were examined with spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography and BCVA at age 31–43 years. Thickness of retinal layers was segmented in the foveal and parafoveal areas of the macula.ResultsThe total retinal thickness in the foveal area was thicker in VLBW adults compared with controls; mean (SD): 292.5 μm (28.2) and 272.4 μm (20.2); p < 0.001, and thinner in the parafoveal areas of the macula. These findings could be explained by a thicker inner retinal layer in the foveal area found in VLBW adults compared with controls (mean difference 20.4 μm; CI: 15.0 to 25.9), where a thicker fovea was associated with lower GA, but not BCVA.ConclusionAdults born preterm with VLBW had a thicker retina in the foveal area than controls and this was associated with GA, but not with BCVA. These changes seem to be related to a thicker inner retinal layer in VLBW adults. The findings imply that signs of macular underdevelopment are still present in adulthood, but not necessarily related to reduced visual function.

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Imprint of preterm birth with very low birth weight on optic disc OCT in adulthood—A two‐country birth cohort study

Kulmala,

Jørgensen,

Austeng

et al. 2024

Acta Ophthalmologica

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PurposeTo determine the pattern, degree and prevalence of optic disc optical coherence tomography (OCT) alterations in adults born preterm with very low birth weight (VLBW; birth weight < 1500 g).MethodsOptic disc OCT was assessed in 98 VLBW participants and 139 term‐born controls from birth cohorts in Finland and Norway at the mean age of 36 years. The participants had not been treated for retinopathy of prematurity and had no diagnosed brain abnormality. OCT assessment included parameters for optic disc size, neural rim and peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness (pRNFLT), and for the foveal developmental stage. Background data, visual acuity, refractive error and intraocular pressure were recorded.ResultsIn the VLBW group, optic disc neural rim and pRNFLT were significantly decreased, most frequently in the nasal and inferior sectors. In 40% (95% CI: 33–47) of the VLBW eyes, nerve fibre thickness of at least one optic disc sector was below the fifth percentile of the control group, including 9% (95% CI: 6–14) subgroup falling below the first percentile, that is, clinically below normal limits. VLBW participants with nerve fibre thickness below the fifth percentile did not differ by perinatal data or foveal developmental stage from the other VLBW participants. All participants had normal visual acuity.ConclusionA moderate decrease of the optic disc neural rim and pRNFLT is frequently seen in clinically healthy adults born preterm with VLBW. Awareness of the VLBW‐related optic disc nerve fibre shallowness especially in the inferior and nasal sectors is important while evaluating acquired optic disc pathology in adulthood.

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Visual function in adults born preterm with very low birth weight—A two‐country birth cohort study

Cited by 3 publications

References 30 publications

Physical activity and cognitive function in adults born very preterm or with very low birth weight–an individual participant data meta-analysis

Physical activity and cognitive function in adults born very preterm or with very low birth weight–an individual participant data meta-analysis

Foveal thickness and its association with visual acuity in adults born preterm with very low birth weight: A two‐country birth cohort study

Imprint of preterm birth with very low birth weight on optic disc OCT in adulthood—A two‐country birth cohort study

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