Measurement and Analysis of Central Corneal Thickness at Different Postnatal Stages in Chinese Premature Infants

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate central corneal thickness (CCT) in Chinese premature infants at different postnatal stages to study the peak point and analyze influential factors on CCT development. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of premature infants. Initial CCT measurement was taken at 34 weeks of gestational age (GA) and at intervals until 88 weeks of postmenstrual age (PMA) was reached. The comparison and correlation analysis were carried out to access the association of CCT with gender, birth weight (BW), GA, and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) for each PMA. The premature infants were divided into the thick CCT group and the thin CCT group according to the average CCT at 40 w. And the difference in CCT between the two groups at subsequent 52 w and 64 w was compared. RESULTS: A total of 1726 premature infants (3463 measurements) with an average of 2.21 ± 1.57 measurements were included in this study. The CCT decreased from 34 w GA to 52 w PMA (R = 92.36, P < 0.0001) and then reached a plateau (R = 2.541, P=0.3567). Male (P < 0.05), low BW (P < 0.05), and low GA (P < 0.05) were associated with thicker CCT at the early stage of PMA. The premature infants who had thick CCT at 40 w would have thick CCT at 52 w and 64 w accordingly. CONCLUSIONS: The CCT values of premature infants decreased over time and plateaued at 52 w PMA. Gender, BW, and GA were considered as the influential factors of CCT at the early stage of PMA. Moreover, CCT at 40 w could forecast its development trend at 52 w or 64 w after birth.