FOVEAL AVASCULAR ZONE DEVELOPMENT BY OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY: Weighing the Influence of Gestational Age and Neonatal Early Growth Independently of Retinopathy of Prematurity.

Abstract

Purpose: Focusing the premature birth and its potential complications, this study analyzes foveal avascular zone (FAZ) measured by optical coherence tomography angiography and its correlation with the severity of prematurity and neonatal growth.

Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study was performed, involving 71 children school-age with history of prematurity and a full-term children control group. Several variables from the neonatal period were collected, such as gestational age, birth weight, initial weight gain, and retinopathy of prematurity. Optical coherence tomography angiography scans determined FAZ perimeter, circularity, and area on both superficial capillary plexus and deep capillary plexus.

Results: A positive correlation between gestational age and FAZ area and perimeter was identified, with a smaller FAZ ( P < 0.001) in preterm children. Furthermore, scatter plots showed a rising trend for all FAZ values based on gestational age and birth weight. Thus, children with greater weight gain during the first 15 days of life had a larger FAZ ( P < 0.05). Gestational age was also predictive ( P < 0.001) for FAZ area and perimeter, while the retinopathy of prematurity stage was a better predictor ( P < 0.0232) for its circularity.

Conclusion: Optical coherence tomography angiography finds discrepancies in FAZ between premature and full-term children, with gestational age and neonatal growth having a greater influence than retinopathy of prematurity itself.