Prevalence of Strabismus and Cerebral Visual Impairment among 6- to 12-month-old Premature Babies in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital

Authors

Daniel Ikechukwu Oseji

FWACS, Department of Ophthalmology, Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Kennedy Oberhiri Obohwemu

PhD, Department of Interdisciplinary Research and Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5175-1179
Leonard Nnamdi Meruo

MHPM, Department of Oral Diagnosis and Dental Public Health, D’ Dentist Place Dental Clinic, Owerri, Nigeria; Department of Oral Pathology, D’ Dentist Place Dental Clinic, Owerri, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.

https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8863-0647
Omayioza Agnes Yusuf

MScPH, Department of Interdisciplinary Research and Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom
Nwora Chinonso Oli

MBBS, Department of Paediatrics, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, United Kingdom; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Abdulhakeem Oluwasegun Agbelu

MBChB, Department of Interdisciplinary Research and Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom
Ijeoma Chidinma Iweh

MD, Paediatrics and Neonatology Department, Evercare Hospital, Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research and Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom
Emmanuel Ifeanyi Eze

MBBS, Eye Centre, Lily Hospital, Warri, Nigeria; and Department of Interdisciplinary Research & Statistics, PENKUP Research Institute, Birmingham, United Kingdom.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37547/ijmscr/Volume06Issue06-06

Keywords:

Strabismus cerebral visual impairment premature infants Nigeria.

Abstract

Background: Visual disorders in premature infants remain a major concern due to their potential impact on early neurodevelopment and long-term functional outcomes. This study set out to determine the prevalence of strabismus and cerebral visual impairment among premature babies aged 6 to 12 months at a Nigerian tertiary hospital.

Methods: Researchers conducted a hospital-based cross-sectional study of consecutive eligible premature infants attending follow-up clinics. They collected biodata through interviewer-administered questionnaires and performed detailed ocular examinations, including the Hirschberg test for ocular alignment. Data analysis used IBM SPSS version 20, with results presented as frequencies and percentages.

Results: One hundred and twenty-six premature infants took part, with 57 males (45.2%) and 69 females (54.8%). Gestational age at birth ranged from 28 to 36 weeks. All participants showed orthophoria on the Hirschberg test, with no evidence of strabismus. Similarly, examiners found no cases of cerebral visual impairment.

Conclusion: In this cohort, the prevalence of both strabismus and cerebral visual impairment stood at 0%. These findings highlight the value of early screening in this age group, even when clinical signs appear absent. They also point to the need for continued follow-up as visual development progresses.

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