Journal article
The relationship between fetal growth and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in a cohort of young adults
Translational Vision Science & Technology, Vol.11(7)
2022
Abstract
Purpose: To explore relationships between patterns of fetal anthropometric growth, as reflective of fetal wellbeing, and global retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measured in young adulthood.
Methods: Participants (n = 481) from within a Western Australian pregnancy cohort study underwent five serial ultrasound scans during gestation, with fetal biometry measured at each scan. Optic disc parameters were measured via spectral-domain optical coherence tomography imaging at a 20-year follow-up eye examination. Generalized estimating equations were used to evaluate differences in global RNFL thickness between groups of participants who had undergone similar growth trajectories based on fetal head circumference (FHC), abdominal circumference (FAC), femur length (FFL), and estimated fetal weight (EFW).
Results: Participants with consistently large FHCs throughout gestation had significantly thicker global RNFLs than those with any other pattern of FHC growth (P = 0.023), even after adjustment for potential confounders (P = 0.037). Based on model fit statistics, FHC growth trajectory was a better predictor of global RNFL thickness than birth weight or head circumference at birth. RNFL thickness did not vary significantly between groups of participants with different growth trajectories based on FAC, FFL, or EFW.
Conclusions: FHC growth is associated with RNFL thickness in young adulthood and, moreover, is a better predictor than either birth weight or head circumference at birth.
Translational Relevance: This research demonstrates an association between intrauterine growth and long-term optic nerve health, providing a basis for further exploring the extent of the influence of fetal wellbeing on clinical conditions linked to RNFL thinning.
Details
- Title
- The relationship between fetal growth and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in a cohort of young adults
- Authors/Creators
- K.I.C. Dyer (Author/Creator) - Lions Eye InstituteP.G. Sanfilippo (Author/Creator) - Centre for Eye Research AustraliaS. Yazar (Author/Creator) - Garvan Institute of Medical ResearchJ.E. Craig (Author/Creator) - Flinders UniversityA.W. Hewitt (Author/Creator) - Lions Eye InstituteJ.P. Newnham (Author/Creator) - The University of Western AustraliaD.A. Mackey (Author/Creator) - Lions Eye InstituteS.S.Y. Lee (Author/Creator) - Lions Eye Institute
- Publication Details
- Translational Vision Science & Technology, Vol.11(7)
- Publisher
- Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.
- Identifiers
- 991005545537407891
- Copyright
- © 2022 The Authors.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Murdoch University
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Domestic collaboration
- Citation topics
- 1 Clinical & Life Sciences
- 1.36 Ophthalmology
- 1.36.226 Glaucoma Research
- Web Of Science research areas
- Ophthalmology
- ESI research areas
- Clinical Medicine