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September 20-22, 2017 | Toronto, Canada
10 TH AMERICAN PEDIATRICS HEALTHCARE &
PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASES CONGRESS
Pediatric Healthcare & Pediatric Infections 2017
Background: ‘Emmetropization’ is the process of change by
the eyeball optical structures that takes place from birth in
order to achieve an optimal refractive state, emmetropia.
However, prematurity can alter this process, causing
refractive defects that alter the development of vision.
Objective: The present study aims to show the influence
of prematurity on the process of ‘emmetropization’ by
comparing a sample of 80 children of 3 to 4 months of age
born prematurely with a sample of 80 children born at full-
term.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was
conducted comparing two groups, preterm infants (Integral
Kangaroo Mother Program) and term infants (Children’s
Clinic Colsubsidio) each with 80 children, using selected
convenience sampling. The variables studied in both groups
were: refractive status and gestation period, analyzed by the
chi square test.
Results: The most common refractive error was hyperopic
astigmatism (+3.00 to +3.75 sph., –1.00 to –1.75 with cyl.) for
those born prematurely and (+2.00 to +2.75 sph. with 0.00 to
–0.75 cyl.) for term infants. Chi-square analysis rejected the
null hypothesis that the variables showing gestational age
and refractive state were related (P=.0072).
Conclusion: The most common defect for the two groups
was hyperopic astigmatism, being higher in the preterm
group than in term infants group. The association between
the variables, refractive status and gestational age, indicate
that prematurity can be one of the factors that alter the
process of ‘emmetropization’ of the eyeball.
e:
Influence of prematurity on the “emmetropization” process
Maria Susana Merchan Price
Universidad de La Salle, Colombia