Retinal Microvasculature and Emotional, Behavioral, and Cognitive Outcomes at School Age

BACKGROUND: The retinal microvasculature can serve as a window into the intracerebral vasculature, and an adverse retinal microvasculature is linked to neurocognitive disease and psychopathology in adults. We hypothesized that associations of retinal vessel calibers with emotional, behavioral, and cognitive outcomes may be present in school-age children. METHODS: This study among 3866 children was embedded in a population-based cohort study from early fetal life. Retinal microvasculature measurements were obtained from retinal photographs at age 6. At ages 6, 10, and 14, total, internalizing, and externalizing problems and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms were measured using the Child Behavior Checklist/6-18. Autism symptoms were assessed by the Social Responsiveness Scale at ages 6 and 14. Estimated full-scale intelligence quotient was assessed using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fifth Edition at age 14. RESULTS: value