The Relationship Between Fetal Growth and Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in a Cohort of Young Adults

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. Participants (n = 481) from within a Western Australian pregnancy cohort study underwent five serial ultrasou...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Translational vision science & technology 2022-07, Vol.11 (7), p.8
Main Authors: Dyer, Kathleen I C, Sanfilippo, Paul G, Yazar, Seyhan, Craig, Jamie E, Hewitt, Alex W, Newnham, John P, Mackey, David A, Lee, Samantha S Y
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Australia
Birth Weight
Cohort Studies
Fetal Weight
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Nerve Fibers
Retina
Retinal Ganglion Cells
Young Adult
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Summary: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. 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). 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. 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. 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.
ISSN:2164-2591
2164-2591
DOI:10.1167/tvst.11.7.8