The effects of delivery type and gender on intraocular pressure and central corneal thickness in newborns.

PURPOSE: To analyze intraocular pressure (IOP) and central corneal thickness (CCT) in newborns during the first 12 h of life. METHODS: Forty-three newborns born by vaginal delivery (VD) and 30 newborns born by cesarean section (CS) were evaluated. IOP and CCT were measured using Tono-Pen and handheld pachymeter, respectively, at both the 5th minute after delivery and at the 12th h of life. RESULTS: The mean IOP for the VD group was significantly higher than that of the CS group at both the 5th minute and 12th h (p =0.042 and p =0.018, respectively). In both groups, the IOP decreased by the 12th h, but the decrease was only significant for the CS group (p =0.020). The decrease in CCT over the 12 h was significant for both groups (p <0.001). In the VD and CS groups, the IOP values of the males were significantly higher than those of the females at the fifth minute only (p =0.024 and p =0.043, respectively). No other values were significantly different between the genders. CONCLUSIONS: Newborn IOP is affected by the mode of delivery and gender. A higher IOP was found in vaginally delivered newborns than in CS newborns for at least 12 h postpartum. CCT showed a significant decline within 12 h. Male newborns have significantly higher IOP values in the first minutes of life.

The effects of delivery type and gender on intraocular pressure and central corneal thickness in newborns / Os efeitos do tipo de parto e sexo sobre a pressão intraocular e espessura corneana central em recém-nascidos

ABSTRACT Purpose: To analyze intraocular pressure (IOP) and central corneal thickness (CCT) in newborns during the first 12 h of life. Methods: Forty-three newborns born by vaginal delivery (VD) and 30 newborns born by cesarean section (CS) were evaluated. IOP and CCT were measured using Tono-Pen and handheld pachymeter, respectively, at both the 5th minute after delivery and at the 12th h of life. Results: The mean IOP for the VD group was significantly higher than that of the CS group at both the 5th minute and 12th h (p =0.042 and p =0.018, respectively). In both groups, the IOP decreased by the 12th h, but the decrease was only significant for the CS group (p =0.020). The decrease in CCT over the 12 h was significant for both groups (p <0.001). In the VD and CS groups, the IOP values of the males were significantly higher than those of the females at the fifth minute only (p =0.024 and p =0.043, respectively). No other values were significantly different between the genders. Conclusions: Newborn IOP is affected by the mode of delivery and gender. A higher IOP was found in vaginally delivered newborns than in CS newborns for at least 12 h postpartum. CCT showed a significant decline within 12 h. Male newborns have significantly higher IOP values in the first minutes of life.

RESUMO Objetivos: Analisar a pressão intraocular (IOP) e a espessura corneana central (CCT) em recém-nascidos durante as primeiras 12 horas de vida. Método: Quarenta e três recém-nascidos nascidos por parto vaginal (VD) e 30 recém-nascidos nascidos após cesariana (CS) foram avaliados. IOP e CCT foram medidos com Tono-Pen e Handheld Pachymeter no quinto minuto após o parto e na décima segunda hora de vida. Resultados: A média de IOP para o grupo VD foi significativamente maior do que o grupo CS tanto no quinto minuto quanto na décima segunda hora (p=0,042, p=0,018, respectivamente). Em ambos os grupos, a IOP diminuiu na décima segunda hora, mas a redução foi significativa apenas para o grupo CS (p=0,020). A diminuição da CCT nas doze horas foi significativa para ambos os grupos (p<0,001). Nos grupos VD e CS os valores de IOP dos homens foram significativamente maiores do que das mulheres apenas no quinto minuto (p=0,024 e p=0,043, respectivamente). Outros valores não foram significativamente diferentes entre os sexos. Conclusões: A IOP em recém-nascidos é afetada pela via de parto e pelo sexo. A IOP é maior em recém-nascidos de parto normal durante pelo menos 12 horas. A CCT mostra queda significativa no prazo de 12 horas. Recém-nascidos do sexo masculino têm valores de IOP significativamente mais elevados nos primeiros minutos de vida.