Common Eye Disorder May Be Linked to Maternal Hypertension

METHODOLOGY:

• Researchers in China conducted a population-based cohort study involving 3117 children born between 2014 and 2018.
• Examinations were performed at age 3 years to assess ocular alignment using assessments such as the Hirschberg light reflex and cover-uncover tests.
• Maternal hypertensive disorders included hypertension and preeclampsia.
• The researchers defined poorly controlled blood pressure as a systolic blood pressure of ≥ 130 mm Hg or a diastolic blood pressure of ≥ 80 mm Hg.
• The researchers used Poisson generalized linear mixed models to estimate the relative risks for strabismus overall and for specific types of the disorder.

TAKEAWAY:

• The researchers found 4.6% of the children were exposed to maternal HDP, and 11.8% had strabismus.
• Children exposed to maternal hypertensive disorders had an 82% increased risk for strabismus overall (relative risk [RR], 1.82; 95% CI, 1.21-2.74).
• The risk for exophoria was 82% higher and the risk for intermittent exotropia risk was 136% higher in children exposed to maternal hypertensive disorders.
• Preeclampsia and poorly controlled blood pressure were associated with the highest risk for strabismus (RR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.37-4.39).

 

Offspring born to mothers with HDP might be recommended for early screening of strabismus, especially those with maternal preeclampsia or poorly controlled BP.

 

 

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/common-eye-disorder-may-be-linked-maternal-hypertension-2024a1000dop