Artery Research

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Volume 20, Issue C, December 2017, Pages 50 - 50

2.1 COGNITION IN RELATION TO THE RETINAL MICROCIRCULATION IN CHILDREN BORN PREMATURELY OR AT TERM

Authors
Fangfei Wei1, Anke Raaijmakers2, Zhen-Yu Zhang1, Theun Pieter van Tienoven3, Qi-Fang Huang1, Wen-Yi Yang1, Lutgarde Thijs1, Harry Struijker-Boudier4, Peter Verhamme5, Karel Allegaert2, Jan Staessen1
1Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Belgium
2Department of Development and Regeneration, University of Leuven, Belgium
3Department of Sociology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium
4Maastricht University, The Netherlands
5Centre for Molecular and Vascular Biology, KU Leuven Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Belgium
Available Online 6 December 2017.
DOI
10.1016/j.artres.2017.10.023How to use a DOI?
Abstract

Background: The retinal microvasculature can be visualized noninvasively and mirrors the status of the cerebral vasculature. We therefore investigated in 93 prematurely born infants (birth weight < 1000 g) and 87 controls born at term whether neurocognitive performance at ∼11 years is associated with the diameter of retinal microvessels.

Methods: We post-processed retinal photographs by a semi-automated software (Singapore I Vessel Assessment, version 3.6) and administered the Wechsler Non-Verbal test, Dutch version (Pearson, The Netherlands) to estimate the intelligence quotient (IQ) by combining matrix reasoning and spatial span.

Results: Compared with the controls, cases had lower IQ (92.5 vs. 108.7; P < 0.001), smaller central retinal arteriolar (CRAE; 162.7 vs. 174.0 mm; P < 0.001) and venular (CRVE; 234.7 vs. 242.7 mm; P = 0.003) diameters and CRAE/CRVE ratio (AVR; 0.70 vs. 0.72; P = 0.002) and lower body mass index (17.0 vs. 17.7 kg/m2; P = 0.044), but higher mean arterial pressure (82.7 vs. 77.7 mmHg; P < 0.001). In all children, the effect sizes associated with a 1-SD increase in CRAE were +3.87 (P < 0.001), +1.80 (P = 0.004) and +2.26 (P = 0.003) for total IQ, matrix reasoning, and spatial span, respectively. In models adjusted for body mass index and mean arterial pressure, these estimates were +3.21 (P = 0.009), +1.57 (P = 0.020), and +1.84 (P = 0.024), respectively. The associations of IQ and matrix reasoning with AVR also attained significance (P ≤ 0.031).

Conclusions: In conclusion, our findings suggest that underdevelopment of the microcirculation in prematurely born children might have lasting effects on their cognitive performance.

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<Previous Article In Issue
Next Article In Issue>
Journal
Artery Research
Volume-Issue
20 - C
Pages
50 - 50
Publication Date
2017/12/06
ISSN (Online)
1876-4401
ISSN (Print)
1872-9312
DOI
10.1016/j.artres.2017.10.023How to use a DOI?
Open Access
This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC license.

Cite this article

risenwbib
TY  - JOUR
AU  - Fangfei Wei
AU  - Anke Raaijmakers
AU  - Zhen-Yu Zhang
AU  - Theun Pieter van Tienoven
AU  - Qi-Fang Huang
AU  - Wen-Yi Yang
AU  - Lutgarde Thijs
AU  - Harry Struijker-Boudier
AU  - Peter Verhamme
AU  - Karel Allegaert
AU  - Jan Staessen
PY  - 2017
DA  - 2017/12/06
TI  - 2.1 COGNITION IN RELATION TO THE RETINAL MICROCIRCULATION IN CHILDREN BORN PREMATURELY OR AT TERM
JO  - Artery Research
SP  - 50
EP  - 50
VL  - 20
IS  - C
SN  - 1876-4401
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.artres.2017.10.023
DO  - 10.1016/j.artres.2017.10.023
ID  - Wei2017
ER  -