Maturation of Rod Function in Preterm Infants with and without Retinopathy of Prematurity

Objectives

To establish normal development of rod electroretinograms in preterm infants and to assess the effects of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

Study design

We measured 88 Naka-Rushton functions from 41 preterm infants at maturities from 30 to 72 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA). Outcomes (log σ, retinal sensitivity and V_max, retinal responsivity) were compared between control (no ROP), untreated ROP, and treated ROP.

Results

In control infants, sensitivity increased by 1.5 log units from 30 to 40 weeks PMA and by a further 0.5 log units by 50 weeks PMA but was 0.5 log units less than in similarly-mature, healthy, term-born infants. Average retinal responsivity increased from 23 μV to 90 μV between 30 and 40 weeks PMA and was 35 μV greater at 40 weeks PMA than in similarly-mature term-born infants. At around 36 weeks PMA, (when onset of ROP peaks), infants with untreated ROP had average retinal sensitivity 0.2 log units lower than control infants; sensitivity was reduced further in infants treated for ROP. Retinal responsiveness did not differ between control subjects and untreated infants with ROP but was greatly reduced in infants treated for ROP.

Conclusions

Maturation of rod sensitivity appears to be slowed by preterm birth whereas maturation of rod responsivity is accelerated. ROP reduces retinal sensitivity, and treated ROP reduces both sensitivity and responsivity.

Abbreviations: ERG, Electroretinography, PMA, Postmenstrual age, ROP, Retinopathy of prematurity