Severity of cystoid macular oedema in preterm infants observed using hand-held spectral domain optical coherence tomography improves weekly with postmenstrual age

Acknowledgements Staff Nurse Samantha Brown, the Department of Neonatology Staff and Parents of preterm infants, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester LE1 5WW. Funding Medical Research Council, London, UK (grant number: MR/N004566/1 and MR/J004189/1), Ulverscroft Foundation, Leicester, UK, Nystagmus Network UK.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Potential Utility of Foveal Morphology in Preterm Infants Measured using Hand-Held Optical Coherence Tomography in Retinopathy of Prematurity Screening

Financial Support: Medical Research Council, London, UK (grant number: MR/N004566/1 and MR/J004189/1), Ulverscroft Foundation, Leicester, UK, Nystagmus Network UK. Acknowledgements: The authors acknowledge the assistance of Deputy Sister Hima Thanki in assisting with the acquisition of HH-OCT images and the Staff of the University Hospitals of Leicester Neonatal Service in supporting the infants during the imaging sessions.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

A first update on mapping the human genetic architecture of COVID-19

peer reviewe

Development of the Human Fovea after Preterm Birth measured using Hand Held Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (HH SD-OCT)

BackgroundMuch remains unknown about the influence of severity of prematurity and presence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) on the development of the fovea after preterm birth during the perinatal period from postmenstrual age (PMA) 30 to 44 weeks.AimsMeasures of foveal morphology, individual retinal layers and foveal oedema (CME), with and without ROP using HH-OCT, adjusting for gestational age (GA) and birthweight (BW).MethodsProspective mixed cross-sectional and longitudinal study of infants (23 to 36 weeks GA). Foveal width, area, depth, central foveal thickness (CFT), individual retinal layers and CME severity were analysed. Infants with ROP were included until they underwent treatment.ResultsHH SD-OCT images (n=344) from n= 112 infants were suitable for analysis (n=278 foveal morphology, retinal layers; n=66 CME). A significant interaction between ROP and PMA independent of GA or BW (pSeverity of GA and BW correlated with foveal area (pConclusionsDynamic differences exist between foveal parameters and retinal layers during the perinatal period depending on the severity of prematurity and presence of ROP. Independent of GA and BW, foveal width has potential as a marker that distinguishes between infants with and without ROP in early screening using HH SD-OCT. The severity of CME may relate to ELM disruption; further study would aid understanding of any adverse future outcomes.</div

Use of Hand-Held Optical Coherence Tomography during Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) Screening demonstrates an increased Outer Retina from early Postmenstrual Age in Preterm Infants with ROP

Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the Opthalmic Communications Society, Inc.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Stigmatisation of COVID-19 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

Objectives: Infectious diseases are the most common cause of disease stigmatisation, which can lead to a denial of healthcare, education, housing and employment as well as physical violence. Such stigmatisation is common during pandemics. This study aimed to examine the social stigmatisation of COVID-19 among residents of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Riyadh in May 2020. Non-probability convenient sampling was used to recruit 847 participants through social media platforms, including WhatsApp. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, the Pearson correlation coefficient and the chi-squared test were used along with a multiple linear regression model. Results: There was a high level of stigma among 21% of the participants and an intermediate level in almost 49% of the participants. Low stigma was indicated among 30% of the study’s sample. A highly significant association existed between stigma, on the one hand, and older age groups, being married and lower levels of education, on the other. Conclusion: Future awareness programmes should educate patients and their families about stigma as well as the consequences of stigmatising COVID-19. Stigma eradication policies and interventions should be implemented to avoid potentially harmful consequences for public health. Keywords: Social stigma; COVID-19; Pandemic; Saudi Arabia

Preventive practices against COVID-19 among residents of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

INTRODUCTION: This cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to use the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) model as a framework to assess compliance with preventive measures against COVID-19 among residents of the city of Riyadh. METHODOLOGY: In May 2020, electronic study questionnaires on Microsoft Forms were distributed to a sample of 886 Riyadh residents via social media and WhatsApp groups. RESULTS: We found that the participants had good knowledge. However, less than half of the participants exhibited positive attitudes and good practices toward COVID-19. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between their practices, attitudes, and knowledge. The most practiced behaviours among the participants were (1) a commitment to home quarantine, (2) the use of a tissue or the inside of an elbow when coughing or sneezing, (3) hand washing for a minimum of 20 seconds, and (4) sterilization of surfaces/equipment and wearing masks in public places. Regression analysis showed that knowledge, attitudes, and age were the three factors that could predict the practices of preventive behaviours against COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: A higher likelihood of practicing preventive measures during the COVID-19 pandemic was significantly associated with one’s total knowledge and attitude scores. Future educational campaigns are recommended to focus on residents’ susceptibility to COVID-19, its severity, mask wearing, and the disinfection of surfaces and appliances when targeting public audiences. In addition to raising awareness, public policies that support preventive practices would improve the likelihood of compliance

Potential utility of foveal morphology in preterm infants measured using hand-held optical coherence tomography in retinopathy of prematurity screening

PURPOSE: To investigate dynamic foveal morphology with postmenstrual age, in preterm infants with and without retinopathy of prematurity using hand-held optical coherence tomography, adjusting for gestational age (GA) and birthweight (BW). METHODS: Prospective mixed cross-sectional/longitudinal observational study of 87 participants (23-36 weeks GA; n = 30 with, n = 57 without retinopathy of prematurity) using hand-held optical coherence tomography images (n = 278) acquired between 31 weeks and 44 weeks postmenstrual age excluding treated retinopathy of prematurity. Measurements included foveal width, area, depth, central foveal thickness, maximum slope, and parafoveal retinal thickness at 1,000 µm nasal and temporal to the central fovea. RESULTS: Retinopathy of prematurity was significantly correlated with only foveal width in either GA or BW adjusted statistical models. In contrast, severity of prematurity (GA, BW) correlated with foveal area (P &lt; 0.005), depth (P ≤ 0.001), and slope (P &lt; 0.01), although central foveal thickness (P = 0.007) and parafoveal retinal thickness (P &lt; 0.001) correlated with GA, but not with BW. CONCLUSION: Foveal width is independent of GA and BW with potential in retinopathy of prematurity screening assessment using hand-held optical coherence tomography. Foveal morphology could be graded in prematurity during development, with possible implications for future management of preterm infants

Use of Hand-Held Optical Coherence Tomography during Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) Screening demonstrates an increased Outer Retina from early Postmenstrual Age in Preterm Infants with ROP.

PurposeTo identify structural markers of active retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in foveal and parafoveal retinal layers using hand-held optical coherence tomography (HH-OCT).MethodsWe acquired HH-OCT images (n=278) from a prospective mixed cross-sectional longitudinal observational study of 87 participants (23-36 weeks gestational age (GA); n=30 with ROP, n=57 without ROP) between 31 to 44 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) excluding treated ROP and features of cystoid macular edema (CME). Six retinal layer thicknesses from the fovea to the parafovea were analysed at five locations up to 1000 µm temporally and nasally.ResultsThe mean outer retinal thickness (OUTRETL) during active ROP increased at the fovea and parafovea from PMA 33 to 39 weeks ( p ConclusionsIncreased foveal and parafoveal outer retina measured using HH-OCT shows potential as a marker for ROP screening