PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

Children born prematurely face up to a 19 times greater risk of retinal detachment later in life

First large population-based study investigating long-term risks supports need for ophthalmologic follow-up of children and adults born before 32 weeks of gestation

2013-11-08
(Press-News.org) Contact information: Media Relations
media@aao.org
415-561-8534
American Academy of Ophthalmology
Children born prematurely face up to a 19 times greater risk of retinal detachment later in life First large population-based study investigating long-term risks supports need for ophthalmologic follow-up of children and adults born before 32 weeks of gestation SAN FRANCISCO – Nov. 7, 2013 – Children born extremely prematurely have up to a 19 times greater risk of retinal detachment later in life than peers born at term, according to a Swedish study published this month in Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. In the first large population-based, long-term investigation of the association between preterm birth and later retinal detachment, the research determined that birth before 32 weeks is associated with increased risks of retinal detachment in childhood, adolescence and young adult life. The study's findings indicate the need for ophthalmologic follow-up in children and adults born extremely and very prematurely. The United States has the sixth largest number of premature births, with more than 500,000 premature babies born each year.

The researchers used Swedish nationwide population registries of more than three million births from 1973 to 2008 to identify subjects born prematurely (at less than 37 weeks of gestation), who were then separated into two groups: those born between 1973 and 1986, at which point a national retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening program was established, and those born between 1987 and 2008. ROP is a condition that causes abnormal blood vessels to grow in the retina (back of the eye) and can cause retinal detachment, which is a major cause of childhood blindness globally. A detached retina may lead to vision loss and even blindness unless it is treated with surgery. Although the connection between retinal detachment and preterm births has been noted in smaller studies, this is the first study to analyze a population of this size.

For those born extremely prematurely (less than 28 weeks of gestation) between 1973 and 1986, the researchers found the risk of retinal detachment was 19 times higher than peers born at term. Those born extremely prematurely between 1987 and 2008 had a nine-fold increase in risk after adjustment for potential cofounders.

Those born very prematurely (28 to 31 weeks of gestation) between 1973 and 1986 had a four-fold increased risk and those born very prematurely between 1987 and 2008 had a three-fold greater risk than those born at term. Additionally, the researchers found that moderately preterm birth (32 to 36 weeks of gestation) was not associated with an increased risk of retinal detachment.

"We may just be seeing the tip of the iceberg of late ophthalmic complications after preterm birth," said Anna-Karin Edstedt Bonamy, M.D., Ph.D., pediatrician at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm and the study's lead researcher. "Not only does the risk of retinal detachment increase with age, but there has also been an increase in survival among people born prematurely since the 1970s. This provides opportunities for future research to address if the increased risk persists among those born prematurely as they age."

Clinical studies and care series indicate that individuals born prematurely may be at lifelong risk for ophthalmologic complications other than ROP. This includes an increased risk of subnormal visual acuity, visual perceptual problems, strabismus, refractive errors (particularly high myopia) and reduced contrast sensitivity and visual fields.

The American Academy of Pediatrics, along with the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus and the American Association of Certified Orthoptists recommend screening for ROP in infants born at less than 30 weeks of gestation or those with a birth weight of less than 1500 grams (or those with a birth weight of less than 2000 grams with an unstable clinical course).

Although follow-up guidelines vary from country to country, the researchers recommend that individuals who have been treated for ROP in the neonatal period should continue follow up on a yearly basis.

INFORMATION:

About the American Academy of Ophthalmology

The American Academy of Ophthalmology, headquartered in San Francisco, is the world's largest association of eye physicians and surgeons — Eye M.D.s — with more than 32,000 members worldwide. Eye health care is provided by the three "O's" – ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians. It is the ophthalmologist, or Eye M.D., who has the education and training to treat it all: eye diseases, infections and injuries, and perform eye surgery. For more information, visit http://www.aao.org. The Academy's EyeSmart® program educates the public about the importance of eye health and empowers them to preserve healthy vision. EyeSmart provides the most trusted and medically accurate information about eye diseases, conditions and injuries. OjosSanos™ is the Spanish-language version of the program. Visit http://www.geteyesmart.org or http://www.ojossanos.org to learn more.

About Ophthalmology

Ophthalmology, the official journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, publishes original, peer-reviewed, clinically applicable research. Topics include the results of clinical trials, new diagnostic and surgical techniques, treatment methods, technology assessments, translational science reviews and editorials.

END



ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

New method predicts time from Alzheimer's onset to nursing home, death

2013-11-08
New method predicts time from Alzheimer's onset to nursing home, death Draws on information from a single patient visit NEW YORK, NY (Nov. 7, 2013) – A Columbia University Medical Center-led research team has clinically validated a new method ...

NASA satellites see Super-Typhoon Haiyan lashing the Philippines

2013-11-08
NASA satellites see Super-Typhoon Haiyan lashing the Philippines Super-Typhoon Haiyan was lashing the central and southern Philippines on Nov. 7 bringing maximum sustained winds of a Category 5 hurricane. NASA is providing visible, infrared and microwave satellite ...

Mayo Clinic: Less-invasive option as effective as esophagus removal in early esophageal cancer

2013-11-08
Mayo Clinic: Less-invasive option as effective as esophagus removal in early esophageal cancer JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Use of a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure to remove superficial, early stage esophageal cancer is as effective as surgery that takes out and rebuilds ...

Cost-effective method accurately orders DNA sequencing along entire chromosomes

2013-11-08
Cost-effective method accurately orders DNA sequencing along entire chromosomes A major step toward improving the quality of rapid, inexpensive genome assembly A new computational method has been shown to quickly assign, order and orient DNA sequencing information along ...

Unique change in protein structure guides production of RNA from DNA

2013-11-08
Unique change in protein structure guides production of RNA from DNA Gladstone-led study sheds light on critical molecular process SAN FRANCISCO, CA—November 7, 2013—One of biology's most fundamental processes is something called transcription. It is just ...

Anxiety help comes, eventually, via primary care

2013-11-08
Anxiety help comes, eventually, via primary care Racial disparity evident PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — A new study by Brown University psychiatry researchers found that seven in 10 primary care patients with anxiety disorders eventually received potentially ...

Wireless device converts 'lost' energy into electric power

2013-11-08
Wireless device converts 'lost' energy into electric power Metamaterial cells designed by Duke engineers provide electric power as efficiently as solar panels DURHAM, N.C. -- Using inexpensive materials configured and tuned to capture microwave signals, researchers ...

The Tao of pee

2013-11-08
The Tao of pee 2 presentations at the upcoming APS Division of Fluid Dynamics Meeting in Pittsburgh explore the science behind urination WASHINGTON D.C. Nov. 7, 2013 -- Although we don't often think about it, fluid dynamics touches ...

Researchers suggest plan to address hypoxia in Gulf of Mexico

2013-11-08
Researchers suggest plan to address hypoxia in Gulf of Mexico URBANA, Ill. – Despite a 12-year action plan calling for reducing the hypoxia zone in the Gulf of Mexico, little progress has been made, ...

Exploring public perceptions of future wearable computing

2013-11-08
Exploring public perceptions of future wearable computing As scientists develop the next wave of smartwatches and other wearable computing, they might want to continue focusing their attention on the arms and the wrists. According to a recent Georgia ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

How NIL boosts college football’s competitive balance

Moffitt researchers develop machine learning model to predict urgent care visits for lung cancer patients

Construction secrets of honeybees: Study reveals how bees build hives in tricky spots

Wheat disease losses total $2.9 billion across the United States and Canada between 2018 and 2021

New funding fuels development of first potentially regenerative treatment for multiple sclerosis

NJIT student–faculty team wins best presentation award for ant swarm simulation

Ants defend plants from herbivores but can hinder pollination

When the wireless data runs dry

Inquiry into the history of science shows an early “inherence” bias

Picky eaters endure: Ecologists use DNA to explore diet breadth of wild herbivores

Study suggests most Americans would be healthier without daylight saving time

Increasing the level of the protein PI31 demonstrates neuroprotective effects in mice

Multi-energy X-ray curved surface imaging-with multi-layer in-situ grown scintillators

Metasurface enables compact and high-sensitivity atomic magnetometer

PFAS presence confirmed in the blood of children in Gipuzkoa

Why do people believe lies?

SwRI installs private 5G network for research, development, testing and evaluation

A new perspective in bone metabolism: Targeting the lysosome–iron–mitochondria axis for osteoclast regulation

Few military spouses use formal support services during, after deployment

Breakthrough in the hunt for light dark matter: QROCODILE project reveals world-leading constraints

2D x-ray imaging technique reveals hidden processes in CO2 electrolyzers

Rational high entropy doping strategy via modular in-situ/post solvothermal doping integration for microwave absorption

Circular Economy has been officially included in the ESCI

Recent advances in exciton-polariton in perovskite

Efficacy and safety of GLP-1 RAs in children and adolescents with obesity or type 2 diabetes

Over-the-counter sales of overdose reversal drug naloxone decline after initial surge

Global trends and disparities in social isolation

Country of birth, race, ethnicity, and prenatal depression

Kissick Family Foundation, Milken Institute announce $2 million in funding for frontotemporal dementia research and new call for proposals

Mayo Clinic study reveals hidden causes of heart attacks in younger adults, especially women

[Press-News.org] Children born prematurely face up to a 19 times greater risk of retinal detachment later in life
First large population-based study investigating long-term risks supports need for ophthalmologic follow-up of children and adults born before 32 weeks of gestation