Retinal imaging tests conducted during pregnancy can help assess foetal growth outcomes, complementing the conventional ultrasound scans done during pregnancy. The study, GUSTO (Growing Up in Singapore Towards Healthy Outcomes), found that abnormal retinal blood vessels are associated with hypertension, stroke and cardiovascular mortality.
Preliminary findings also found that women with smaller eye vessels during pregnancy had a high chance of a smaller foetal growth.
Professor Saw Seang Mei from the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health and principal investigator of the GUSTO study said that pregnant mothers who want a more comprehensive examination during pregnancy, may opt for a simple photograph, which may provide an indicator of the baby’s health, the health of the child later in life, as well as her own cardiovascular health.
Media Coverage:
- Channel NewsAsia, 5 Dec 2013, Thursday