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Risk factors for visual impairment in full-term infants include breech delivery
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Risk factors associated with visual impairment in full-term infants include abruptio placentae, pre-eclampsia, excessively low or high birth weight and breech delivery, according to a study of medical records.
Kristina Tomquist and Bengt Källén reviewed the records of full-term infants born with a visual impairment between 1979 and 1998 in Sweden. Maternal characteristics, mode of delivery and birthweight were among the characteristics studied.
The strongest risk factor for visual impairment was abruptio placentae. There was not a statistically significant increase in risk if the mother smoked, but there was an increased risk with breech delivery. Pre-eclampsia was also associated with an increased risk of visual abnormalities. Increased risk was also seen for low birthweight and for birthweight of more than 4 kg.
The authors pointed out that the increased risk of visual impairment following breech delivery was “a fact worth noticing” in discussions of the risks and advantages of cesarean section.
The study is published in Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology.