Birth Factors and Retinal Vascular Caliber in a Twin Study

Childhood Vascular Risk Factors and Retinal Vessel Caliber

PURPOSE

Variations in retinal vessel caliber have been associated with risk of ocular and systemic vascular diseases in adults. In this study, we examined the relationships between childhood vascular risk factors and retinal vessel caliber in young healthy adolescents.

DESIGN

This was a cross-sectional study of 1225 adolescents recruited from 3 community-based schools in Singapore.

METHODS

Blood pressure and anthropometry measurements were obtained through standardized examinations. Birth weight was ascertained from health records completed by medical personnel soon after birth. Retinal vessel caliber was measured from retinal photographs using a semiautomated computer-based program following a validated standardized protocol.

RESULTS

After adjusting for age, sex, and other relevant factors, each SD increase in blood pressure levels (systolic or diastolic) was associated with narrower arteriolar caliber (1.61 μm; P < 0.001); each SD increase in body mass index was associated with narrower arteriolar caliber (1.49 μm; P < 0.001) and wider venular caliber (2.68 μm; P < 0.001), and each SD decrease in birth weight was associated with narrower arteriolar caliber (1.31 μm; P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Young adolescents with elevated blood pressure, obesity, or low birth weight have changes in retinal vessel caliber that are associated with ocular and systemic vascular diseases in adulthood. These findings provide evidence of possible adverse effects of childhood vascular risk factors on the retinal microvasculature early in life.