| Development of tearing in preterm and term neonates. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 9639446 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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BACKGROUND: Although term and preterm infants have the capacity to secrete tears, the relative contribution of basal and reflex secretion of tears has not been previously assessed together in a prospective study. This information potentially has practical clinical importance. OBJECTIVES: To measure basal and reflex tear secretion in preterm (30-37 weeks after conception) and term (38-42 weeks) newborns and to determine the developmental pattern of tear production. METHODS: Tear secretion was evaluated by applying Schirmer tear test strips to the inferior fornix for 5 minutes before (reflex plus basal secretion) and after (basal secretion) applying a topical anesthetic agent. RESULTS: Seventy infants (36 preterm and 34 term) were tested. Mean (+/- SD) basal tear secretion was 6.2 (+/- 4.5) mm in preterm and 9.2 (+/- 4.3) mm in term infants and increased progressively with increasing weight (P<.001) for all newborns. Mean (+/- SD) reflex tear secretion was 7.4 (+/- 4.8) mm in preterm and 13.2 (+/- 6.5) mm in term infants and also increased with increasing weight (P<.001) for all newborns. CONCLUSIONS: Preterm infants have reduced reflex and basal tear secretion. This may mask the diagnosis of a nasolacrimal duct obstruction, concentrate topically applied medications, and allow corneas to quickly become dry during ophthalmological examination and treatment. By term, tear production in newborns is similar to that in adults. |
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Authors:
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S J Isenberg; L Apt; J McCarty; L L Cooper; L Lim; M Del Signore |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S. |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Archives of ophthalmology Volume: 116 ISSN: 0003-9950 ISO Abbreviation: Arch. Ophthalmol. Publication Date: 1998 Jun |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 1998-06-25 Completed Date: 1998-06-25 Revised Date: 2007-11-14 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 7706534 Medline TA: Arch Ophthalmol Country: UNITED STATES |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 773-6 Citation Subset: AIM; IM |
Affiliation:
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Jules Stein Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Harbor-University of California-Los Angeles Medical Center, Torrance 90509, USA. isenberg@ucla.edu |
Export Citation:
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APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological Gestational Age Humans Infant, Newborn / metabolism* Infant, Premature / metabolism* Lacrimal Duct Obstruction / diagnosis, metabolism Prospective Studies Tears / secretion* |
| Grant Support | |
ID/Acronym/Agency:
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RR00425/RR/NCRR NIH HHS |
| Comments/Corrections | |
Comment In:
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Arch Ophthalmol. 1999 Jan;117(1):141
[PMID:
9930185
]
Arch Ophthalmol. 2000 Jun;118(6):861 [PMID: 10865333 ] |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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