Fundus morphology assessed by digital image analysis in children with fetal alcohol syndrome.

BACKGROUND

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is associated with anomalies of the eye ground. The aim of this study was to evaluate the development of fundus morphology in children with FAS from early childhood to adolescence.

METHODS

Funds photographs were evaluated by digital image analysis in 16 children with FAS. Age at the baseline study was between 0.25 and 14 years, and the median follow-up period was 7 years (range: 0.5 to 12). Sixteen sex- and age-matched healthy children were used as controls.

RESULTS

Children with FAS had a smaller optic disc area, lower frequency of excavations, greater tortuosity of retinal vessels, and a smaller number of vascular branching points compared with the controls. There were no significant differences in the funds abnormalities between the first and last examinations.

CONCLUSION

No interval change of retinal funds morphology was found at follow up, suggesting that the ocular abnormalities associated with FAS remain unchanged during childhood.