Trajectory of Refractive Change and Its Influencing Factors in Preschool Children: A Longitudinal Study

preprint OA: closed
Full text JSON View at publisher

Abstract

Abstract Background Early-onset myopia increases the risk of high myopia in adolescence. This study aimed to identify heterogeneous trajectories of refractive change in preschool children using the Latent Growth Mixture Model (LGMM) and to explore their associated influencing factors, thereby providing a scientific basis for precise myopia prevention and control. Methods Cluster sampling was used to recruit 956 preschool children from 27 kindergartens in Haidian District, Beijing, between October 2021 and October 2023. A basic information questionnaire was administered to collect general demographic data. Ocular refractive biometry was performed annually to track the changes in refractive status over the 2-year follow-up period. LGMM was used to identify heterogeneous refractive trajectories. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was subsequently used to explore the factors associated with trajectory membership. Results Three distinct refractive change trajectories were identified: the slow change group ( n  = 111, 11.6%), the stable change group ( n  = 714, 74.7%), and the rapid change group ( n  = 131, 13.7%). Multinomial logistic regression revealed that children’s age, sex, parental moderate-to-high myopia, and daily outdoor activity duration were independent predictors of latent classes for refractive development trajectories in preschool children. Conclusions Preschool children exhibit three distinct trajectories of refractive change, demonstrating significant population heterogeneity. Myopia prevention strategies may benefit from risk stratification based on early refractive trajectories.
Full text 156,281 characters · extracted from preprint-html · click to expand
Trajectory of Refractive Change and Its Influencing Factors in Preschool Children: A Longitudinal Study | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Trajectory of Refractive Change and Its Influencing Factors in Preschool Children: A Longitudinal Study Jin Hou, Yonghong Jiao, Shimeng Bian, Yue Li, Zhangfang Ma, Ying Sha, and 2 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-9302334/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Background Early-onset myopia increases the risk of high myopia in adolescence. This study aimed to identify heterogeneous trajectories of refractive change in preschool children using the Latent Growth Mixture Model (LGMM) and to explore their associated influencing factors, thereby providing a scientific basis for precise myopia prevention and control. Methods Cluster sampling was used to recruit 956 preschool children from 27 kindergartens in Haidian District, Beijing, between October 2021 and October 2023. A basic information questionnaire was administered to collect general demographic data. Ocular refractive biometry was performed annually to track the changes in refractive status over the 2-year follow-up period. LGMM was used to identify heterogeneous refractive trajectories. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was subsequently used to explore the factors associated with trajectory membership. Results Three distinct refractive change trajectories were identified: the slow change group ( n = 111, 11.6%), the stable change group ( n = 714, 74.7%), and the rapid change group ( n = 131, 13.7%). Multinomial logistic regression revealed that children’s age, sex, parental moderate-to-high myopia, and daily outdoor activity duration were independent predictors of latent classes for refractive development trajectories in preschool children. Conclusions Preschool children exhibit three distinct trajectories of refractive change, demonstrating significant population heterogeneity. Myopia prevention strategies may benefit from risk stratification based on early refractive trajectories. Preschool children Refractive error Myopia Latent Class Growth Mixture Model Trajectory Influencing factors Figures Figure 1 Background Myopia has evolved into a severe global public health concern. It is projected that 49.8% of the global population (4.76 billion individuals) will develop myopia by 2050, with 9.8% progressing to high myopia [ 1 , 2 ]. As the world’s most populous country, China suffers from a high prevalence of myopia accompanied by a striking younger-onset trend. According to surveillance data released by the National Health Commission of China, the overall myopia prevalence among Chinese children and adolescents reached 52.7% in 2020, while the prevalence among 6-year-old children stood at 14.3% [ 3 ]. Existing evidence indicates that younger age and higher baseline refractive error are associated with a greater risk of myopia progression [ 4 ]. Preschool children (under 7 years old) are in a critical period of ocular and visual development, rendering them highly vulnerable to environmental risk factors. Furthermore, an earlier onset of myopia prolongs the progressive course and increases the likelihood of high myopia in adulthood [ 5 , 6 ]. High myopia further elevates the risk of irreversible visual impairment and even blindness due to complications such as retinal detachment and myopic maculopathy [ 7 , 8 ]. The 2025 Chinese Expert Consensus on Pre-myopia Management has identified preschool children as a core population for myopia monitoring and intervention, highlighting the necessity of shifting the focus of childhood myopia prevention and control forward to the preschool stage [ 9 ]. A multicenter survey across multiple Chinese provinces reported a 5.5% myopia prevalence among preschool children [ 10 ]. By comparison, the corresponding prevalence rates in Japan are 2.9% for overall myopia and 0.2% for high myopia in the same age group. For children aged 4 to 6 years, axial length, age, sex and parental myopia have been confirmed as key predictors of myopia development [ 11 ]. Refractive status changes substantially with age during early childhood. Previous studies have documented the mean right-eye spherical equivalent (SE) as 1.31 ± 0.84 D, 1.30 ± 0.76 D, 1.17 ± 0.84 D, and 1.06 ± 0.80 D among preschool children aged 3, 4, 5 and 6 years, respectively [ 12 ]. Additionally, numerous studies have linked myopia onset to daily behavioral patterns, including outdoor activity duration, prolonged screen time, and sleep length [ 13 , 14 ]. However, most existing investigations adopt a cross-sectional design. Although such studies are effective for estimating prevalence and identifying correlational factors, they fail to capture dynamic changes in refractive status over time. Methodologically, cross-sectional designs are inherently limited in analyzing time-series dynamics [ 15 ]. Conventional uniform analytical approaches obscure individual heterogeneity in developmental trajectories; averaging across populations conceals subgroup differences and impedes personalized prognosis based on baseline characteristics. Longitudinal data are therefore essential for clarifying disease progression and determining optimal intervention windows. Prospectively designed cohort studies overcome these limitations by collecting repeated measurements to characterize developmental trajectories [ 15 ]. To address the above limitations and move beyond population-level overall trends, the present study adopted a prospective longitudinal design. We conducted a 2-year follow-up among children aged 3–6 years recruited from 27 kindergartens in Haidian District, Beijing. Latent Growth Mixture Modeling (LGMM) was applied to construct refractive developmental trajectories. We further explored the effects of ocular biometric parameters, birth history, lifestyle and environmental factors, as well as familial factors on heterogeneous refractive trajectory subgroups. The findings aim to provide empirical evidence for establishing a trajectory-based precise risk prediction model for preschool myopia, and to support the development of individualized early intervention strategies. This study ultimately seeks to advance the timing of childhood myopia prevention and control in clinical practice. Methods Ethics approval This study was conducted in accordance with the tenetsof the Declaration of Helsinki and received approval from the Ethics Committee of Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University (Approval Number: TRECK-Y2019-152). Before inclusion in the study, all participants provided informed consent. Study design and population This study was conducted from October 2021 to October 2023. Cluster sampling was used to recruit 1,878 children aged 3-6 years from 27 kindergartens in Haidian District, Beijing. The sample size was determined to meet the analytical requirements of LGMM, for which a minimum sample of 200 participants is recommended [16]. The inclusion criteria were as follows: children aged 3-6 years; ability to cooperate with ophthalmic examinations; and provision of written informed consent by legal guardians following voluntary participation agreement. The exclusion criteria included: a history of contraindications or adverse reactions related to cycloplegia; presence of other ocular diseases such as strabismus, amblyopia, cataract, glaucoma, and retinal disorders; and loss to follow-up resulting from myopia control interventions (e.g., orthokeratology lenses, atropine eye drops), school transfer, or other reasons. Follow-up This study adopted a longitudinal observational design. Ocular refractive and biometric parameters, including spherical equivalent (SE), axial length (AL), and mean corneal curvature (CR), were measured annually throughout follow-up. A standardized questionnaire was administered to collect children’s demographic information and parental myopia status. Due to disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic and other unforeseen factors, 966 children completed the two-year follow-up assessments. After excluding 10 invalid data records, a final sample of 956 participants was included in the statistical analysis. Outcome measures Basic information questionnaire The research team developed a structured questionnaire based on a comprehensive literature review and expert consultation to collect participants’ baseline characteristics. The questionnaire covered demographic information (sex, age, height, weight), perinatal factors (birth weight and gestational age), lifestyle factors (daily outdoor activity duration and dietary habits), and parental myopia status. Measurement of refractive and ocular biometric parameters Cycloplegic refraction Refractive measurements were performed before and after cycloplegia using an KR-8900 autorefractometer (Topcon Corporation, Tokyo, Japan). Cycloplegia was induced with 1.0% cyclopentolate hydrochloride eye drops, administered three times at intervals of 5 to 10 minutes. One hour after the first instillation, pupillary response and dilation were evaluated. Complete cycloplegia was defined as an absence of pupillary light reflex and a pupil diameter greater than 6.0 mm. If adequate cycloplegia was not achieved, an additional drop of 1.0% cyclopentolate hydrochloride was administered. Persistent failure to meet the pupillary criteria within 15 minutes after supplementation was recorded as unsuccessful cycloplegia. During examinations, participants were positioned with their chin on the chin rest and forehead against the head support to stabilize the head. All children were instructed to fixate on the internal target of the autorefractometer. Three consecutive readings of spherical power, cylindrical power, and astigmatic axis were obtained for each eye, and the average values were calculated for subsequent analysis. Ocular biometry Ocular biometric parameters were measured using the IOL Master (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Jena, Germany), a non-contact optical biometer. The measured parameters included axial length (AL), horizontal corneal power (K1), and vertical corneal power (K2).The average corneal power (K) was calculated as the mean of K1 and K2. The corneal curvature radius (CR) was derived using the formula: CR = 1000 × (n₂ − n₁) / K where n₁ is the refractive index of air (1.0000) and n₂ is the refractive index of the cornea (1.3375). The AL/CR ratio was subsequently calculated based on the measured AL and derived CR.Myopia was defined as a SE refractive error of ≤−0.50D [17]. Data collection and quality control The research team consisted of three ophthalmologists, five ophthalmic technicians, three head nurses, and two postgraduate students. All team members signed confidentiality agreements and completed standardized training prior to the study initiation. The training covered data security protocols, participant privacy protection, and ethical management of protected health information (PHI). Access to study data was strictly restricted to authorized researchers, who were only permitted to access data relevant to their designated research responsibilities. Data collection Questionnaire data General information was collected using an electronic questionnaire, which was distributed to and completed by the children’s parents or primary caregivers. Upon clicking “submit” after completion, the questionnaires were automatically uploaded to a dedicated online data collection platform. Refractive and biometric data A standardized examination form was assigned to each child before every assessment. All refractive and ocular biometric measurements were recorded immediately by trained technicians upon completion of testing. After a participant finished all examinations, research staff collected the forms and performed an initial review to verify data completeness. All valid records were subsequently extracted and imported into a centralized electronic database for unified management and collation. Quality control Training and calibration All study personnel completed unified training on the study protocol and standardized operating procedures for all ophthalmic examinations prior to data collection initiation. Before each measurement session, all ophthalmic instruments were calibrated and maintained to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the measurement results. Intra-day quality assessment To monitor measurement consistency, 5% of the participants examined each day were randomly selected for retesting. The acceptable measurement error for SE was set at ±0.50D, and AL≤0.1 mm. If the daily error rate exceeded 5%, the underlying causes were promptly analyzed, and corrective actions were implemented to improve measurement quality. Data entry and cleaning Data were independently entered by two trained researchers and subsequently cross-validated to identify discrepancies. Only records with confirmed agreement were included in the statistical analyses. Participants with more than 20% missing data across variables were excluded from the final analysis. Statistical analysis All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 26.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Continuous variables following a normal distribution are presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD) and were compared using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Categorical variables are summarized as frequencies and percentages, with group differences assessed using the chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test, as appropriate. Ordinal variables were analyzed using the rank-sum test. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to identify potential factors associated with refractive outcomes. LGMM was conducted using Mplus version 8.0 (Muthén & Muthén, Los Angeles, CA, USA) following a two-step procedure. First, to evaluate potential heterogeneity in children’s refractive change trajectories, a series of LGMMs with increasing numbers of latent classes were fitted. Model fit was assessed using multiple criteria, including the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC), and sample-size adjusted BIC (aBIC), with lower values indicating better fit. Classification quality was evaluated using entropy, with higher values indicating improved classification accuracy. Model comparisons were further supported by the Lo–Mendell–Rubin likelihood ratio test (LMR-LRT) and the bootstrapped likelihood ratio test (BLRT), with statistically significant P values indicating improved model fit relative to models with fewer classes [18]. The optimal number of latent trajectory classes was determined based on a comprehensive evaluation of model fit indices, classification performance, statistical significance, and interpretability. Second, after identifying the optimal trajectory classes, multinomial logistic regression was performed to examine associations between demographic characteristics and trajectory class membership. To evaluate the robustness of the findings, a sensitivity analysis was conducted by additionally adjusting for baseline axial length in the multinomial logistic regression model. Results Baseline characteristics and myopia prevalence at each follow-up wave A total of 1,864 children aged 3-6 years were enrolled at baseline. The mean SE refractive error was 1.15 ± 0.94 D, and the overall prevalence of myopia was 4.61% (86/1,864). The prevalence was 5.35% (52/972) in boys and 3.81% (34/892) in girls, with no significant sex difference ( P = 0.158). At the 1-year follow-up, 1,508 children completed the examination, with an overall myopia prevalence of 3.65% (55/1,508), including 3.40% (27/795) in boys and 3.93% (28/713) in girls. At the 2-year follow-up, 956 children (489 boys and 467 girls) completed the examinations. The overall myopia prevalence was 7.85% (75/956), including 8.79% (43/489) in boys and 6.85% (32/467) in girls. The sex difference remained non-significant ( P = 0.36). Identification and determination of latent classes of refractive change trajectories in preschool children LGMM was performed to identify heterogeneous trajectories of refractive change by fitting models with 1 to 5 latent classes. The Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) decreased progressively with increasing numbers of classes. Entropy values exceeded 0.80 for all models with 2-5 classes, indicating good classification quality. Among the candidate models, only the 3-class solution yielded statistically significant results for both the Vuong–Lo–Mendell–Rubin likelihood ratio test (VLMR-LRT) and the bootstrapped likelihood ratio test (BLRT) (P < 0.05), suggesting improved model fit compared with models with fewer classes. In addition, the 3-class model demonstrated an adequate class distribution, with the smallest class comprising more than 10% of the total sample and including over 50 participants. Based on overall model fit, classification performance, and clinical interpretability, the 3-class model was selected as the optimal solution (Table 1). Table 1 Model fit indices for latent class growth models of refractive change trajectories in preschool children Class AIC BIC aBIC Entropy VLMRT BLRT Class probabilities 1 2 3 4 5 1 7006.651 7030.965 7015.085 - - - 1.000 - - - - 2 6274.605 6313.507 6288.099 0.833 0.183 <0.001 0.837 0.163 - - - 3 5560.523 5614.013 5579.078 0.887 0.040 <0.001 0.137 0.116 0.747 - - 4 5089.315 5157.393 5112.930 0.863 0.118 <0.001 0.032 0.569 0.315 0.084 - 5 4795.329 4877.996 4824.005 0.860 0.097 <0.001 0.060 0.020 0.355 0.117 0.448 Abbreviations: AIC, Akaike Information Criterion; BIC, Bayesian Information Criterion; aBIC, sample-size adjusted BIC; VLMR T, Vuong-Lo-Mendell-Rubin test; BLRT, Bootstrapped Likelihood Ratio Test. Nomenclature of latent classes of refractive change trajectories Based on the optimal 3-class model, a latent class trajectory plot was generated with time points as the x-axis and SE refractive error at three measurement time points as the y-axis ( Figure 1). The three latent classes were named according to the rate of refractive change: the slow refractive change group ( n =111, 11.6%), the stable refractive change group ( n =714, 74.7%), and the rapid refractive change group ( n =131, 13.7%). Detailed parameter estimates for the 3-class model are presented in Table 2. Table 2 Parameter estimates of the 3-class LGMM for refractive change trajectories Class Parameter Estimate Standard error P-value Slow change group Mean baseline SE -0.013 0.155 0.932 Mean SE change rate -0.164 0.072 <0.001 Variance of baseline SE 0 0 - Variance of SE change rate 0 0 - Stable change group Mean baseline SE 1.149 0.062 <0.001 Mean SE change rate -0.172 0.009 <0.001 Variance of baseline SE 0 0 - Variance of SE change rate 0 0 - Rapid change group Mean baseline SE 2.282 0.164 <0.001 Mean SE change rate -0.372 0.024 <0.001 Variance of baseline SE 0 0 - Variance of SE change rate 0 0 - Univariate analysis of latent classes of refractive change trajectories in preschool children Univariate analyses showed no significant differences among trajectory classes with respect to gestational age, birth weight, baseline body BMI, picky eating behavior, or preference for sweet foods (all P > 0.05). Variables demonstrating statistically significant differences across trajectory classes are presented in Table 3. Multivariate analysis of latent classes of refractive change trajectories in preschool children Multinomial logistic regression was performed to examine factors associated with trajectory class membership, with the slow refractive change group specified as the reference category. Variables that were statistically significant in the univariate analysis were included as independent variables. Compared with the slow change group, older age was associated with a lower likelihood of belonging to the stable change group ( OR = 0.683, P = 0.001). Paternal myopia with SE < −3.00 D was associated with reduced odds of membership in the stable change group ( OR = 0.512, P = 0.019), and maternal myopia with SE < −3.00 D showed a similar association ( OR = 0.350, P = 0.002). Relative to the slow change group, older age was also associated with a lower likelihood of belonging to the rapid change group ( OR = 0.615, P = 0.001). Paternal myopia with SE < −3.00 D was associated with substantially lower odds of membership in the rapid change group ( OR = 0.182, P < 0.001), and maternal myopia with SE < −3.00 D was likewise associated with reduced odds ( OR = 0.252, P = 0.001). A sensitivity analysis was conducted with baseline axial length (AL) additionally included as a covariate. After adjustment for AL, paternal myopia with SE < −3.00 D was associated with an increased likelihood of belonging to the rapid refractive change group ( OR = 2.21, 95% CI : 1.28–3.83, P = 0.005), and maternal myopia with SE < −3.00 D showed a similar association ( OR = 2.42, 95% CI : 1.31–4.47, P = 0.005). Furthermore, each 1-mm increase in baseline AL was associated with a 2.57-fold increase in the odds of membership in the rapid change group ( OR = 2.57, 95% CI : 1.91–3.46, P < 0.001) (Table 4). Table 3 Univariate analysis of latent classes of refractive change trajectories in preschool children ( n = 956) Variables Total(n=956) Slow change group(n=111) Stable change group(n=714) Rapid change group(n=131) X 2 /H P-value Baseline age (years) 4.00 [3.00, 5.00] 4.00 [4.00, 5.00] 4.00 [3.00, 4.00] 4.00 [3.00, 4.50] 11.149 0.004 Birth weight (kg) 3.35[3.03,3.65] 3.30 [3.04, 3.50] 3.35 [3.02, 3.70] 3.36 [3.10, 3.67] 1.651 0.438 Gender (%) 6.518 0.038 Male 496 (51.9) 63 (56.8) 378 (52.9) 55 (42.0) Female 460 (48.1) 48 (43.2) 336 (47.1) 76 (58.0) Gestational age (weeks) (%) 2.725 0.256 28-37 133 (13.9) 19 (17.1) 101 (14.1) 13 ( 9.9) 37-40 823 (86.1) 92 (82.9) 613 (85.9) 118 (90.1) Paternal diopter (%) 41.824 <0.001 −0.50 D>SE ≥ −3.00 D 270 (28.2) 25 (22.5) 212 (29.7) 33 (25.2) SE<-3.00D 419 (43.8) 68 (61.3) 315 (44.1) 36 (27.5) SE≥-0.50D 267 (27.9) 18 (16.2) 187 (26.2) 62 (47.3) Maternal diopter (%) 21.766 <0.001 −0.50 D>SE ≥ −3.00 D 250 (26.2) 22 (19.8) 186 (26.1) 42 (32.1) SE<-3.00D 508 (53.1) 78 (70.3) 376 (52.7) 54 (41.2) SE≥-0.50D 198 (20.7) 11 ( 9.9) 152 (21.3) 35 (26.7) Baseline BMI (kg/m²) (%) 6.884 0.142 Overweight/Obesity 25 ( 2.6) 1 ( 0.9) 20 ( 2.8) 4 ( 3.1) Underweight 96 (10.0) 17 (15.3) 71 ( 9.9) 8 ( 6.1) Normal weight 835 (87.3) 93 (83.8) 623 (87.3) 119 (90.8) Daily outdoor activity (h) (%) 3.775 0.015 <2 479 (50.1) 62 (55.9) 360 (50.4) 57 (43.5) ≥2 477 (49.9) 49 (44.1) 354 (49.6) 74 (56.5) Picky eating (%) 1.384 0.847 Never 184 (19.2) 25 (22.5) 133 (18.6) 26 (19.8) Frequently 173 (18.1) 21 (18.9) 127 (17.8) 25 (19.1) Occasionally 599 (62.7) 65 (58.6) 454 (63.6) 80 (61.1) Preference for sweet foods (%) 5.001 0.287 Never 25 ( 2.6) 6 ( 5.4) 17 ( 2.4) 2 ( 1.5) Frequently 448 (46.9) 55 (49.5) 332 (46.5) 61 (46.6) Occasionally 483 (50.5) 50 (45.0) 365 (51.1) 68 (51.9) Table 4 Multinomial logistic regression analysis of latent classes of refractive change trajectories in preschool children Variables Stable change group (vs. slow change group) Rapid change group (vs. slow change group) β(SE) P-value OR(95 %CI) β(SE) P-value OR(95 %CI) Baseline age (years) -0.381(0.115) 0.001 0.68(0.55~0.86) -0.486(0.152) 0.001 0.62(0.46 ~0.83) Gender 0.286(0.212) 0.177 1.33(0.88~2.01) 0.792(0.272) 0.004 2.21(1.30 ~3.76) Paternal diopter (SE<-3.00D) -0.670(0.286) 0.019 0.51(0.29~0.90) -1.705(0.346) <0.001 0.18(0.09 ~0.36) Maternal diopter (SE<-3.00D) -1.050(0.342) 0.002 0.35(0.18~0.68) -1.377(0.401) 0.001 0.25(0.12 ~0.55) Daily outdoor activity (h) 0.284(0.218) 0.013 0.12(0.11~0.76) 0.312(0.276) <0.001 0.17(0.03 ~0.26) Baseline axial length (AL, per 1 mm increase) — — — 0.943(0.152) <0.001 2.57(1.91 ~3.46) Note: AL was only included in the rapid change group model for sensitivity analysis; OR for AL was calculated per 1 mm increment. Discussion Heterogeneous latent classes of refractive change trajectories in preschool children This study applied LGMM to characterize 2-year longitudinal trajectories of refractive development among preschool children in Haidian District, Beijing. Moving beyond the assumption of homogeneous developmental patterns inherent in conventional growth models, three distinct latent trajectory classes were identified: the slow refractive change group, stable refractive change group, and rapid refractive change group. The distribution of these classes was balanced (11.6%, 74.7%, and 13.7%, respectively), and model fit indices indicated good classification performance (entropy = 0.887; both the Vuong–Lo–Mendell–Rubin likelihood ratio test [VLMR-LRT] and the bootstrapped likelihood ratio test [BLRT] P < 0.05). These findings highlight substantial heterogeneity in refractive development during the preschool period and provide a useful framework for understanding early-life variation in refractive trajectories and identifying children at elevated risk of myopia. Stable refractive change group: the largest category of refractive development In this study, 74.7% of preschool children were classified into the stable refractive change group, characterized by mean SE values of 1.106 D, 1.053 D, and 0.750 D at T1, T2, and T3, respectively, demonstrating a gradual decline over time (slope = −0.172, P < 0.001). This trajectory is consistent with the physiological process of emmetropization observed during early childhood. Most children are born with mild hyperopia, which gradually decreases as ocular structures develop, including axial elongation and coordinated adjustment of corneal and lens refractive power. The modest reduction in SE observed in this group likely reflects normal maturation of the refractive system and appropriate coupling between ocular growth and optical power [19]. Children in this trajectory class exhibited a refractive development pattern indicative of relatively balanced ocular growth, which may correspond to a lower probability of early myopia onset. Previous longitudinal studies have similarly reported relatively stable refractive changes during the preschool years [20–21]. For example, Yu et al. [22] conducted a 3-year cohort study in Shanghai and found that refractive changes occurred more gradually among children aged 3-6 years than among those aged 7-9 years, supporting the view that refractive development during early childhood generally follows a regulated physiological course. Rapid refractive change group: a high-risk population requiring early intervention Approximately 13.7% of children were classified into the rapid refractive change group. Although this group exhibited the highest baseline SE value (T1 = 2.247 D), it showed the steepest decline over time (slope = −0.372, P < 0.001), with SE decreasing to 1.909 D at T3. The rate of hyperopic reserve depletion in this group was markedly greater than that observed in the other trajectory classes. Accelerated consumption of hyperopic reserve is widely recognized as a critical precursor to myopia onset, and longitudinal evidence indicates that the cumulative incidence of insufficient hyperopic reserve increases with age and is strongly associated with the risk of developing myopia [23]. Despite having adequate initial hyperopic reserve, children in this trajectory experienced excessive depletion within only two years, suggesting a state of relatively rapid ocular axial elongation (“ocular overgrowth”). Without timely monitoring and intervention, these children may transition from physiological refractive development to pathological myopia. Therefore, this subgroup represents a key target population for early identification and proactive prevention strategies. Slow refractive change group: a distinct high-risk population characterized by limited baseline hyperopic reserve In the present study, 11.6% of children were classified into the slow refractive change group, which exhibited the lowest baseline SE value (T1 = −0.104 D), indicating minimal hyperopic reserve at study entry. Although the apparent rate of refractive change was relatively modest (slope = −0.164, P < 0.001), trajectory classification in LGMM is strongly influenced by baseline refractive status. Children with limited initial hyperopic reserve may demonstrate smaller absolute changes in SE but remain at elevated risk of myopia onset due to insufficient physiological buffering capacity. Parental high myopia was strongly associated with reduced baseline hyperopic reserve. When baseline ocular parameters were not accounted for, parental myopia appeared to be a “protective factor” in the multinomial regression model, a finding inconsistent with established clinical evidence. To address the dependency of trajectory classification on baseline refractive status, a sensitivity analysis incorporating baseline axial length (AL) was performed. The results demonstrated that each 1-mm increase in baseline AL was associated with a 2.57-fold increase in the odds of being classified into the rapid refractive change group ( OR = 2.57, 95% CI : 1.91–3.46, P < 0.001). These findings indicate that early elongation of axial length in preschool children is closely associated with accelerated refractive change and an increased risk of subsequent myopia. This result is consistent with the longitudinal findings reported by Yum et al. [24], who identified axial elongation as a key predictor of early-onset high myopia. Similarly, Sun et al. [25] reported that increased axial length in preschool children aged 3–6 years in Tongzhou District, Beijing, was significantly associated with early-stage pathological refractive development. Taken together, preschool children presenting with longer baseline axial length or limited hyperopic reserve represent a high-priority population for targeted monitoring and preventive intervention. Determinants of latent trajectory membership in preschool refractive development The present study identified baseline age, sex, parental moderate-to-high myopia (SE < −3.00 D), and daily outdoor activity duration as independent determinants of refractive trajectory classification. In contrast, no significant associations were observed for gestational age, birth weight, baseline BMI, picky eating behavior, or preference for sweet foods. These findings provide clinically relevant evidence supporting the early identification of children at elevated risk of myopia and facilitate the development of individualized prevention strategies. Baseline age Univariate analysis demonstrated a significant difference in baseline age distribution among the three trajectory groups (Kruskal–Wallis H = 11.149, P = 0.004). Multinomial regression analysis further indicated that increasing baseline age was associated with a lower likelihood of classification into both the stable refractive change group (OR = 0.683, P = 0.001) and the rapid refractive change group (OR = 0.615, P = 0.001), relative to the slow refractive change group. In other words, younger preschool children were more likely to exhibit trajectories characterized by more pronounced refractive changes. This finding is consistent with established physiological patterns of ocular development. Axial length increases rapidly during infancy and early childhood, particularly before 3 years of age, after which the growth rate gradually decelerates and stabilizes toward adolescence [26]. Younger children typically exhibit less mature ocular regulatory mechanisms and greater susceptibility to rapid depletion of hyperopic reserve. When combined with environmental exposures, this may increase the likelihood of entering a rapid refractive progression trajectory. Clinically, refractive monitoring in very young children is often insufficiently emphasized. The present findings suggest that children aged approximately 3 years represent a critical window for early screening. For children presenting with additional risk factors, early establishment of refractive records, shorter follow-up intervals, and timely preventive intervention are recommended. These findings are consistent with the principle of early monitoring and early intervention emphasized in the Technical Guidelines for Myopia Prevention and Control in Children and Adolescents (2018) [27]. Sex Significant differences in sex distribution were observed across trajectory classes in univariate analysis (χ² = 6.518, P = 0.038). Multinomial regression analysis demonstrated that female children had a significantly higher likelihood of belonging to the rapid refractive change group compared with male children ( OR = 2.207, P = 0.004). This observation is consistent with previous studies reporting sex-specific differences in refractive development [29]. Potential mechanisms may involve differences in ocular biometric development and hormonal regulation. Female children generally exhibit slightly smaller ocular dimensions, which may limit compensatory capacity during axial elongation and contribute to faster depletion of hyperopic reserve, particularly during late preschool years (4-5 years). However, sex was not significantly associated with membership in the stable refractive change group ( OR = 1.331, P = 0.177), suggesting that sex-related effects may primarily influence the subgroup characterized by accelerated refractive change. These findings support the need for sex-specific considerations in precision prevention strategies. Parental myopia Multinomial regression analysis demonstrated that parental moderate-to-high myopia (SE < −3.00 D) was significantly associated with refractive trajectory classification. Relative to the slow refractive change group, paternal moderate-to-high myopia was associated with lower odds of classification into both the stable refractive change group ( OR = 0.512, P = 0.019) and the rapid refractive change group ( OR = 0.182, P < 0.001). Similarly, maternal moderate-to-high myopia was associated with reduced odds of classification into the stable refractive change group ( OR = 0.350, P = 0.002) and the rapid refractive change group ( OR = 0.252, P = 0.001). Although these findings may appear inconsistent with the established association between parental myopia and increased offspring risk, they primarily reflect differences in baseline refractive status across trajectory classes. Children with highly myopic parents often present with reduced hyperopic reserve at baseline, resulting in trajectory classification into groups characterized by smaller absolute refractive change despite elevated long-term myopia risk. Previous studies have consistently demonstrated strong familial aggregation of myopia, with substantially higher incidence rates among children with myopic parents [29,30]. Genetic influences may regulate axial elongation dynamics and corneal curvature development, thereby modulating the emmetropization process. Consequently, parental myopia remains a critical risk indicator for early refractive monitoring. Outdoor activity duration Daily outdoor activity duration ≥ 2 hours was identified as a significant protective factor influencing refractive trajectory classification. Compared with children engaging in < 2 hours of daily outdoor activity, those with ≥ 2 hours exhibited substantially reduced likelihood of belonging to trajectory groups characterized by more pronounced refractive change. These findings are consistent with previous epidemiological evidence [13]. The protective effect of outdoor exposure may be mediated through increased light intensity stimulating retinal dopamine release, which inhibits excessive axial elongation. Given that the preschool period represents a critical window for refractive development, ensuring at least 2 hours of daily outdoor activity may effectively preserve hyperopic reserve and reduce the risk of myopia onset. These findings provide evidence-based support for both clinical counseling and public health interventions. Future studies should further investigate the effects of specific outdoor activity patterns, light intensity, and exposure duration on refractive trajectory heterogeneity. Conclusions Based on longitudinal LGMM, this study identified three distinct refractive development trajectories in preschool children: slow progression, stable progression, and rapid progression, revealing significant heterogeneity in early refractive development. Hospitals, families, and communities should collaborate to implement targeted predictive interventions through dynamic risk assessment, with priority given to continuous monitoring of high-risk subgroups—such as children with insufficient hyperopic reserve, parental myopia, and daily outdoor activity duration of less than 2 hours. For children with longer baseline axial length, establishing a refractive development archive is recommended to closely monitor refractive progression, and comprehensive strategies should be adopted to delay myopia onset. For children with stable refractive changes, regular monitoring remains essential. Future studies should establish a graded dynamic assessment system for myopia prevention and control in preschool children, tailoring interventions to trajectory-specific characteristics to achieve precise prevention and control of preschool myopia. Study limitations This study has several limitations. First, trajectory classification may have been dependent on baseline refractive status, as LGMM assigns substantial weight to baseline values. This could lead to the misclassification of children with insufficient baseline hyperopic reserve but rapid myopic progression into the slow-progression group; although baseline axial length was included for adjustment, classification bias could not be completely eliminated. Second, the observation period was only 2 years, which did not cover the critical transition period from preschool to primary school. This precluded verification of the long-term stability of the identified trajectories and their association with long-term myopic outcomes. Third, the sample was recruited from a single district in Beijing, representing a single-center regional population; therefore, caution should be exercised when generalizing the conclusions. Future studies with longer follow-up periods and multi-center designs are warranted to validate the findings of the present study. Abbreviations LGMM Latent Growth Mixture Model SE Spherical equivalent , AL Axial length CR Average corneal curvature Declarations Acknowledgements No specific funding was received for the conduct of this study. All authors thank the preschool children and their guardians who participated in this research for their valuable cooperation, as well as the research team members for their efforts in data collection and follow-up surveys. Authors’ contributions Hou J collected and cleaned the clinical data, performed statistical analyses, drafted the initial manuscript, and prepared all figures and tables. Jiao YH, Bian SM, Li Y , Ma ZF, Sha Y , Song W, reviewed the clinical data, interpreted the research results, and revised the manuscript critically for important intellectual content. Zhang WX conceptualized the study, designed the research protocol, supervised the entire study process, and finalized the manuscript. All authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript and take responsibility for the integrity and accuracy of all parts of the work. Funding This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. Availability of data and materials The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available fromthe corresponding author on reasonable request. Ethics and consent to participate This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University (approval number: TRECK-Y2019-152). Consent for publication Not applicable in the article. Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests. References Zadnik K, Schulman E, Flitcroft I, Fogt IS, Blumenfeld LC, Fong TM, et al. Efficacy and safety of 0.01% and 0.02% atropine for the treatment of pediatric myopia progression over 3 years: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2023;141(10):990–9. Holden BA, Fricke TR, Wilson DA, et al. Global prevalence of myopia and high myopia and temporal trends from 2000 through 2050. Ophthalmology. 2016;123(5):1036–42. National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China. Transcript of the press conference on July 13. 2021. http://www.nhc.gov.cn/xcs/s3574/202107/2fef24a3b77246fc9fb36dc8943af700.shtml (accessed 2026-01-10). Saw SM, Tong L, Chua WH, et al. Incidence and progression of myopia in Singaporean school children. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2005;46(1):51–7. Hu Y, Ding X, Guo X, et al. Association of age at myopia onset with risk of high myopia in adulthood in a 12-year follow-up of a Chinese cohort. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2020;138(11):1129–34. Chua SY, Sabanayagam C, Cheung YB, et al. Age of onset of myopia predicts risk of high myopia in later childhood in myopic Singapore children. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2016;36(4):388–94. Haarman AEG, Enthoven CA, Tideman JWL, et al. The complications of myopia: A review and meta-analysis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2020;61(4):49. Naidoo KS, Fricke TR, Frick KD, et al. Potential lost productivity resulting from the global burden of myopia: systematic review, meta-analysis, and modeling. Ophthalmology. 2019;126(3):338–46. Ophthalmology and Optometry Branch of China National Ethnic Medicine Association. Beijing Ophthalmology and Optometry Society. Expert consensus on pre-myopia management in China (2025). Chin J Ophthalmol. 2025;61(12):957–67. Tang ML, Liu Y, Qin R, et al. Prevalence characteristics of myopia and pre-myopia among 5-6-year-old children in kindergartens from 10 provinces in China. J Peking Univ (Health Sci). 2025;57(3):442–7. Matsumura S, Dannoue K, Kawakami M, Uemura K, Kameyama A, Takei A, Hori Y. Prevalence of Myopia and Its Associated Factors Among Japanese Preschool Children. Front Public Health. 2022;10:901480. Feng JX, Jiang MM, Feng YQ, et al. Survey on refractive status of 3-6-year-old preschool children in Yangpu District of Shanghai. Chin J Prim Health Care. 2023;37(9):27–30. Ma ZF, Hou J, Mi XJ, et al. Prevalence and influencing factors of myopia among preschool children in Haidian District of Beijing. Ophthalmol China. 2024;33(5):362–6. Xie X, Ma J, Chen Q, et al. Evaluation of myopia status and eye use behavior in school-age and preschool children. PLoS ONE. 2025;20(6):e0322569. DiPietro NA. Methods in epidemiology: observational study designs. Pharmacotherapy. 2010;30(10):973–84. Nylund KL, Asparouhov T, Muthén BO. Deciding on the number of classes in latent class analysis and growth mixture modeling: A Monte Carlo simulation study. Struct Equ Model Multidiscip J. 2007;14(4):535–69. Wolfsohn JS, Flitcroft DI, Gifford KL, et al. IMI-Myopia control reports: overview and introduction. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2019;60(3):M1–19. Yu JH, Chen XN, Gao YH, et al. Application of latent class growth mixture model in medical research. Chin J Health Stat. 2018;35(4):496–9. Wei RH, Lu DQ, Jin N, et al. Interpretation of the white paper on myopia prevention and control research by the International Myopia Institute (IMI). Rec Adv Ophthalmol. 2019;39(8):701–13. Yum HR, Park SH, Shin SY. Longitudinal analysis of refraction and ocular biometrics in preschool children with early-onset high myopia. Sci Rep. 2023;13(1):22474. Bro T, Löfgren S. Relatively Stable Prevalence of Myopia among Swedish Children Aged 4 to 7 Years between 2015 and 2020. Optom Vis Sci. 2023;100(1):91–5. Yu Y, Chen H, Zhang Z, et al. Risk factors for rapid axial length growth in a prospective cohort study of 3-year to 9-year-old Chinese children. Br J Ophthalmol. 2025;109(9):1064–73. Li SM, Kang MT, Li L, et al. Cohort study on the association between hyperopia reserve and myopia incidence in primary school students: the Anyang Childhood Eye Study. Zhonghua Yan Ke Za Zhi (Chin J Ophthalmol). 2022;58(10):754–9. Yum HR, Park SH, Shin SY. Longitudinal analysis of refraction and ocular biometrics in preschool children with early-onset high myopia. Sci Rep. 2023;13(1):22474. Sun YY, Zhu BD, Li L, Li HJ, Wang SN, Qiu Y, Qin X, Cui JT, Li YB, Fu J. Prevalence and characteristics of pre-myopia among 3-6-year-old preschool children in Tongzhou District of Beijing. Ophthalmol China. 2024;33(4):280–4. Chen S, Guo Y, Han X, et al. Axial growth driven by physical development among myopia children: a two-year cohort study. J Clin Med. 2022;11(13):3642. Optometry Group of Ophthalmology Branch of Chinese Medical Association, Optometry Professional Committee of Ophthalmologist Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association. Technical Guidelines for Myopia Prevention and Control in Children and Adolescents. (2018). Chin J Ophthalmol. 2018;54(3):164–168. Yu M, Hu Y, Han M, et al. Global risk factor analysis of myopia onset in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS ONE. 2023;18(9):e0291470. Šenk U, Čižman B, Writzl K, et al. Genetic background of high myopia in children. PLoS ONE. 2024;19(11):e0313121. Pu J, Fang Y, Zhou Z, et al. The Impact of Parental Myopia and High Myopia on the Hyperopia Reserve of Preschool Children. Ophthalmic Res. 2024;67(1):115–24. Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-9302334","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":622467437,"identity":"8161a0ae-b6e2-4cef-8f0f-3a150858bbd3","order_by":0,"name":"Jin Hou","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Capital Medical University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Jin","middleName":"","lastName":"Hou","suffix":""},{"id":622467447,"identity":"356eed4e-ee2e-4d12-ab80-ca5422963545","order_by":1,"name":"Yonghong Jiao","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Capital Medical University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Yonghong","middleName":"","lastName":"Jiao","suffix":""},{"id":622467450,"identity":"03e84797-4daf-45e2-a90e-ce7971bdf571","order_by":2,"name":"Shimeng Bian","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Capital Medical University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Shimeng","middleName":"","lastName":"Bian","suffix":""},{"id":622467454,"identity":"3c1f003c-d93e-4d3a-9d4b-6b05aea5c63c","order_by":3,"name":"Yue Li","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Capital Medical University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Yue","middleName":"","lastName":"Li","suffix":""},{"id":622467457,"identity":"133a031e-9996-4fc0-9329-ca67a6af0add","order_by":4,"name":"Zhangfang Ma","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Capital Medical University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Zhangfang","middleName":"","lastName":"Ma","suffix":""},{"id":622467462,"identity":"0fe9dee2-1d47-4fc5-92e8-b061a6a19182","order_by":5,"name":"Ying Sha","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Capital Medical University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Ying","middleName":"","lastName":"Sha","suffix":""},{"id":622467467,"identity":"50e45fb3-6999-4adf-a154-cc98bbe16602","order_by":6,"name":"Wei Song","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Capital Medical University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Wei","middleName":"","lastName":"Song","suffix":""},{"id":622467472,"identity":"16f5c1a6-4232-4814-a00e-1e5b039c183f","order_by":7,"name":"Wanxia Zhang","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAAsklEQVRIiWNgGAWjYBACPhiDn5n54AOitLDBGJLtbMkGpGkxOM9jJkCcFvbeZw9+/DmcuPkwgxkDQ41NNGEtPMfNDXt4DhubHWZIe8BwLC23gaAWiTQ2CR6J23JALccNGBsOE6dF8o/BbR7jZsY2CaK1SPMk3JYzYGZmI1ILzzE2aZkD/40lDrMxGyQQ4xd+9jY2yTd/0hL7+89/fPChxoawFlSQQJryUTAKRsEoGAW4AAAdIDUVTuIsbwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==","orcid":"","institution":"Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Capital Medical University","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Wanxia","middleName":"","lastName":"Zhang","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2026-04-02 11:09:11","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9302334/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9302334/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":106965590,"identity":"0e5c088a-bbdd-4f3e-bde6-8f6436a0fe89","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-15 09:55:27","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":61622,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eHeterogeneous trajectory plot of refractive change based on LGMM.The x-axis represents the follow-up time points (T1 = baseline survey, T2 = first year of follow-up, T3 = second year of follow-up); the y-axis represents SE refractive error (D).Rapid refractive change group (yellow line): T1 = -0.10361 D, T2 = -0.22635 D, T3 = -0.87067 D;Slow refractive change group (orange line): T1 = 1.10623 D, T2 = 1.05262 D, T3 = 0.75008 D;Stable refractive change group (blue line): T1 = 2.24666 D, T2 = 2.17904 D, T3 = 1.90916 D.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9302334/v1/459526e490b14434bca2ad81.png"},{"id":108804693,"identity":"440a2857-58fd-485f-be48-d838fcb73f5b","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-05-08 15:22:47","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":498319,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9302334/v1/9fe0edbb-ce9d-4fb8-b980-c8c1c388b827.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Trajectory of Refractive Change and Its Influencing Factors in Preschool Children: A Longitudinal Study","fulltext":[{"header":"Background","content":"\u003cp\u003eMyopia has evolved into a severe global public health concern. It is projected that 49.8% of the global population (4.76\u0026nbsp;billion individuals) will develop myopia by 2050, with 9.8% progressing to high myopia [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e]. As the world\u0026rsquo;s most populous country, China suffers from a high prevalence of myopia accompanied by a striking younger-onset trend. According to surveillance data released by the National Health Commission of China, the overall myopia prevalence among Chinese children and adolescents reached 52.7% in 2020, while the prevalence among 6-year-old children stood at 14.3% [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e]. Existing evidence indicates that younger age and higher baseline refractive error are associated with a greater risk of myopia progression [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e]. Preschool children (under 7 years old) are in a critical period of ocular and visual development, rendering them highly vulnerable to environmental risk factors. Furthermore, an earlier onset of myopia prolongs the progressive course and increases the likelihood of high myopia in adulthood [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e]. High myopia further elevates the risk of irreversible visual impairment and even blindness due to complications such as retinal detachment and myopic maculopathy [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e]. The 2025 Chinese Expert Consensus on Pre-myopia Management has identified preschool children as a core population for myopia monitoring and intervention, highlighting the necessity of shifting the focus of childhood myopia prevention and control forward to the preschool stage [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA multicenter survey across multiple Chinese provinces reported a 5.5% myopia prevalence among preschool children [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e]. By comparison, the corresponding prevalence rates in Japan are 2.9% for overall myopia and 0.2% for high myopia in the same age group. For children aged 4 to 6 years, axial length, age, sex and parental myopia have been confirmed as key predictors of myopia development [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e]. Refractive status changes substantially with age during early childhood. Previous studies have documented the mean right-eye spherical equivalent (SE) as 1.31\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.84 D, 1.30\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.76 D, 1.17\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.84 D, and 1.06\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.80 D among preschool children aged 3, 4, 5 and 6 years, respectively [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e]. Additionally, numerous studies have linked myopia onset to daily behavioral patterns, including outdoor activity duration, prolonged screen time, and sleep length [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e]. However, most existing investigations adopt a cross-sectional design. Although such studies are effective for estimating prevalence and identifying correlational factors, they fail to capture dynamic changes in refractive status over time. Methodologically, cross-sectional designs are inherently limited in analyzing time-series dynamics [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e]. Conventional uniform analytical approaches obscure individual heterogeneity in developmental trajectories; averaging across populations conceals subgroup differences and impedes personalized prognosis based on baseline characteristics. Longitudinal data are therefore essential for clarifying disease progression and determining optimal intervention windows. Prospectively designed cohort studies overcome these limitations by collecting repeated measurements to characterize developmental trajectories [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo address the above limitations and move beyond population-level overall trends, the present study adopted a prospective longitudinal design. We conducted a 2-year follow-up among children aged 3\u0026ndash;6 years recruited from 27 kindergartens in Haidian District, Beijing. Latent Growth Mixture Modeling (LGMM) was applied to construct refractive developmental trajectories. We further explored the effects of ocular biometric parameters, birth history, lifestyle and environmental factors, as well as familial factors on heterogeneous refractive trajectory subgroups. The findings aim to provide empirical evidence for establishing a trajectory-based precise risk prediction model for preschool myopia, and to support the development of individualized early intervention strategies. This study ultimately seeks to advance the timing of childhood myopia prevention and control in clinical practice.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Methods","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthics approval\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis study was conducted in accordance with the tenetsof the Declaration of Helsinki and received approval from the Ethics Committee of Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University (Approval Number: TRECK-Y2019-152). Before inclusion in the study, all participants provided informed consent.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStudy design and population\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis study was conducted from October 2021 to October 2023. Cluster sampling was used to recruit 1,878 children aged 3-6 years from 27 kindergartens in Haidian District, Beijing. The sample size was determined to meet the analytical requirements of LGMM, for which a minimum sample of 200 participants is recommended [16].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe inclusion criteria were as follows: children aged 3-6 years; ability to cooperate with ophthalmic examinations; and provision of written informed consent by legal guardians following voluntary participation agreement. The exclusion criteria included: a history of contraindications or adverse reactions related to cycloplegia; presence of other ocular diseases such as strabismus, amblyopia, cataract, glaucoma, and retinal disorders; and loss to follow-up resulting from myopia control interventions (e.g., orthokeratology lenses, atropine eye drops), school transfer, or other reasons.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFollow-up\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis study adopted a longitudinal observational design. Ocular refractive and biometric parameters, including spherical equivalent (SE), axial length (AL), and mean corneal curvature (CR), were measured annually throughout follow-up. A standardized questionnaire was administered to collect children\u0026rsquo;s demographic information and parental myopia status. Due to disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic and other unforeseen factors, 966 children completed the two-year follow-up assessments. After excluding 10 invalid data records, a final sample of 956 participants was included in the statistical analysis.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOutcome measures\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBasic information questionnaire\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe research team developed a structured questionnaire based on a comprehensive literature review and expert consultation to collect participants\u0026rsquo; baseline characteristics. The questionnaire covered demographic information (sex, age, height, weight), perinatal factors (birth weight and gestational age), lifestyle factors (daily outdoor activity duration and dietary habits), and parental myopia status.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMeasurement of refractive and ocular biometric parameters\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCycloplegic refraction\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRefractive measurements were performed before and after cycloplegia using an KR-8900 autorefractometer (Topcon Corporation, Tokyo, Japan). Cycloplegia was induced with 1.0% cyclopentolate hydrochloride eye drops, administered three times at intervals of 5 to 10 minutes. One hour after the first instillation, pupillary response and dilation were evaluated. Complete cycloplegia was defined as an absence of pupillary light reflex and a pupil diameter greater than 6.0 mm. If adequate cycloplegia was not achieved, an additional drop of 1.0% cyclopentolate hydrochloride was administered. Persistent failure to meet the pupillary criteria within 15 minutes after supplementation was recorded as unsuccessful cycloplegia. During examinations, participants were positioned with their chin on the chin rest and forehead against the head support to stabilize the head. All children were instructed to fixate on the internal target of the autorefractometer. Three consecutive readings of spherical power, cylindrical power, and astigmatic axis were obtained for each eye, and the average values were calculated for subsequent analysis.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOcular biometry\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOcular biometric parameters were measured using the IOL Master (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Jena, Germany), a non-contact optical biometer. The measured parameters included axial length (AL), horizontal corneal power (K1), and vertical corneal power (K2).The average corneal power (K) was calculated as the mean of K1 and K2. The corneal curvature radius (CR) was derived using the formula:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCR = 1000 \u0026times; (n₂ \u0026minus; n₁) / K \u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ewhere n₁ is the refractive index of air (1.0000) and n₂ is the refractive index of the cornea (1.3375). The AL/CR ratio was subsequently calculated based on the measured AL and derived CR.Myopia was defined as a SE refractive error of \u0026le;\u0026minus;0.50D [17].\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eData collection and quality control\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe research team consisted of three ophthalmologists, five ophthalmic technicians, three head nurses, and two postgraduate students. All team members signed confidentiality agreements and completed standardized training prior to the study initiation. The training covered data security protocols, participant privacy protection, and ethical management of protected health information (PHI). Access to study data was strictly restricted to authorized researchers, who were only permitted to access data relevant to their designated research responsibilities.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eData collection\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuestionnaire data\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGeneral information was collected using an electronic questionnaire, which was distributed to and completed by the children\u0026rsquo;s parents or primary caregivers. Upon clicking \u0026ldquo;submit\u0026rdquo; after completion, the questionnaires were automatically uploaded to a dedicated online data collection platform.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRefractive and biometric data\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA standardized examination form was assigned to each child before every assessment. All refractive and ocular biometric measurements were recorded immediately by trained technicians upon completion of testing. After a participant finished all examinations, research staff collected the forms and performed an initial review to verify data completeness. All valid records were subsequently extracted and imported into a centralized electronic database for unified management and collation.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuality control\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTraining and calibration\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll study personnel completed unified training on the study protocol and standardized operating procedures for all ophthalmic examinations prior to data collection initiation. Before each measurement session, all ophthalmic instruments were calibrated and maintained to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the measurement results.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIntra-day quality assessment\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo monitor measurement consistency, 5% of the participants examined each day were randomly selected for retesting. The acceptable measurement error for SE was set at \u0026plusmn;0.50D, and AL\u0026le;0.1 mm. If the daily error rate exceeded 5%, the underlying causes were promptly analyzed, and corrective actions were implemented to improve measurement quality.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eData entry and cleaning\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eData were independently entered by two trained researchers and subsequently cross-validated to identify discrepancies. Only records with confirmed agreement were included in the statistical analyses. Participants with more than 20% missing data across variables were excluded from the final analysis.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStatistical analysis\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 26.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Continuous variables following a normal distribution are presented as mean \u0026plusmn; standard deviation (SD) and were compared using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Categorical variables are summarized as frequencies and percentages, with group differences assessed using the chi-square test or Fisher\u0026rsquo;s exact test, as appropriate. Ordinal variables were analyzed using the rank-sum test. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to identify potential factors associated with refractive outcomes.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLGMM was conducted using Mplus version 8.0 (Muth\u0026eacute;n \u0026amp; Muth\u0026eacute;n, Los Angeles, CA, USA) following a two-step procedure. First, to evaluate potential heterogeneity in children\u0026rsquo;s refractive change trajectories, a series of LGMMs with increasing numbers of latent classes were fitted. Model fit was assessed using multiple criteria, including the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC), and sample-size adjusted BIC (aBIC), with lower values indicating better fit. Classification quality was evaluated using entropy, with higher values indicating improved classification accuracy. Model comparisons were further supported by the Lo\u0026ndash;Mendell\u0026ndash;Rubin likelihood ratio test (LMR-LRT) and the bootstrapped likelihood ratio test (BLRT), with statistically significant P values indicating improved model fit relative to models with fewer classes [18]. The optimal number of latent trajectory classes was determined based on a comprehensive evaluation of model fit indices, classification performance, statistical significance, and interpretability.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSecond, after identifying the optimal trajectory classes, multinomial logistic regression was performed to examine associations between demographic characteristics and trajectory class membership. To evaluate the robustness of the findings, a sensitivity analysis was conducted by additionally adjusting for baseline axial length in the multinomial logistic regression model.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBaseline characteristics and myopia prevalence at each follow-up wave\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA total of 1,864 children aged 3-6 years were enrolled at baseline. The mean SE refractive error was 1.15 \u0026plusmn; 0.94 D, and the overall prevalence of myopia was 4.61% (86/1,864). The prevalence was 5.35% (52/972) in boys and 3.81% (34/892) in girls, with no significant sex difference (\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e = 0.158). At the 1-year follow-up, 1,508 children completed the examination, with an overall myopia prevalence of 3.65% (55/1,508), including 3.40% (27/795) in boys and 3.93% (28/713) in girls. At the 2-year follow-up, 956 children (489 boys and 467 girls) completed the examinations. The overall myopia prevalence was 7.85% (75/956), including 8.79% (43/489) in boys and 6.85% (32/467) in girls. The sex difference remained non-significant (\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e = 0.36).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIdentification and determination of latent classes of refractive change trajectories in preschool children\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLGMM was performed to identify heterogeneous trajectories of refractive change by fitting models with 1 to 5 latent classes. The Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) decreased progressively with increasing numbers of classes. Entropy values exceeded 0.80 for all models with 2-5 classes, indicating good classification quality. Among the candidate models, only the 3-class solution yielded statistically significant results for both the Vuong\u0026ndash;Lo\u0026ndash;Mendell\u0026ndash;Rubin likelihood ratio test (VLMR-LRT) and the bootstrapped likelihood ratio test (BLRT) (P \u0026lt; 0.05), suggesting improved model fit compared with models with fewer classes. In addition, the 3-class model demonstrated an adequate class distribution, with the smallest class comprising more than 10% of the total sample and including over 50 participants. Based on overall model fit, classification performance, and clinical interpretability, the 3-class model was selected as the optimal solution (Table 1).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 1\u003c/strong\u003e Model fit indices for latent class growth models of refractive change trajectories in preschool children\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"735\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" rowspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 51px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eClass\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" rowspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 74px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAIC\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" rowspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 74px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBIC\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" rowspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 74px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eaBIC\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" rowspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 73px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEntropy\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" rowspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 52px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eVLMRT\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" rowspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 60px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBLRT\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" colspan=\"5\" style=\"width: 278px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eClass probabilities\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 62px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 55px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 53px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 54px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 55px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 51px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 74px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7006.651\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 74px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7030.965\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 74px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7015.085\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 73px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 52px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 60px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 62px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.000\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 55px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 53px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 54px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 55px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 51px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 74px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6274.605\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 74px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6313.507\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 74px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6288.099\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 73px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.833\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 52px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.183\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 60px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e<0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 62px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.837\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 55px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.163\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 53px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 54px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 55px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 51px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 74px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5560.523\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 74px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5614.013\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 74px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5579.078\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 73px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.887\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 52px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.040\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 60px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e<0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 62px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.137\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 55px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.116\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 53px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.747\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 54px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 55px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 51px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 74px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5089.315\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 74px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5157.393\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 74px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5112.930\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 73px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.863\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 52px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.118\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 60px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e<0.001\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 62px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.032\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 55px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.569\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 53px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.315\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 54px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.084\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 55px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 51px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 74px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4795.329\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 74px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4877.996\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 74px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4824.005\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 73px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.860\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 52px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.097\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 60px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e<0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 62px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.060\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 55px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.020\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 53px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.355\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 54px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.117\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 55px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.448\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n \u003c/table\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbbreviations: AIC, Akaike Information Criterion; BIC, Bayesian Information Criterion; aBIC, sample-size adjusted BIC; VLMR T, Vuong-Lo-Mendell-Rubin test; BLRT, Bootstrapped Likelihood Ratio Test.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNomenclature of latent classes of refractive change trajectories\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased on the optimal 3-class model, a latent class trajectory plot was generated with time points as the x-axis and SE refractive error at three measurement time points as the y-axis ( Figure 1). The three latent classes were named according to the rate of refractive change: the slow refractive change group (\u003cem\u003en\u003c/em\u003e=111, 11.6%), the stable refractive change group (\u003cem\u003en\u003c/em\u003e=714, 74.7%), and the rapid refractive change group (\u003cem\u003en\u003c/em\u003e=131, 13.7%). Detailed parameter estimates for the 3-class model are presented in Table 2.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 2\u003c/strong\u003e Parameter estimates of the 3-class LGMM for refractive change trajectories\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv align=\"center\"\u003e\n \u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eClass\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 35px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eParameter\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEstimate\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStandard error\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eP-value\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"4\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSlow change group\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 35px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMean baseline SE\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-0.013\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.155\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.932\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 35px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMean SE change rate\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-0.164\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.072\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e<0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 35px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eVariance of baseline SE\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 35px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eVariance of SE change rate\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"4\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStable change group\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 35px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMean baseline SE\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.149\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.062\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e<0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 35px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMean SE change rate\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-0.172\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.009\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e<0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 35px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eVariance of baseline SE\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 35px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eVariance of SE change rate\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"4\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRapid change group\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 35px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMean baseline SE\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.282\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.164\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e<0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 35px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMean SE change rate\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-0.372\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.024\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e<0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 35px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eVariance of baseline SE\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 35px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eVariance of SE change rate\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n \u003c/table\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUnivariate analysis of latent classes of refractive change trajectories in preschool children\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnivariate analyses showed no significant differences among trajectory classes with respect to gestational age, birth weight, baseline body BMI, picky eating behavior, or preference for sweet foods (all \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e \u0026gt; 0.05). Variables demonstrating statistically significant differences across trajectory classes are presented in Table 3.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003cstrong\u003eMultivariate analysis of latent classes of refractive change trajectories in preschool children\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMultinomial logistic regression was performed to examine factors associated with trajectory class membership, with the slow refractive change group specified as the reference category. Variables that were statistically significant in the univariate analysis were included as independent variables.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCompared with the slow change group, older age was associated with a lower likelihood of belonging to the stable change group (\u003cem\u003eOR\u003c/em\u003e = 0.683, \u003cem\u003eP\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e= 0.001). Paternal myopia with SE \u0026lt; \u0026minus;3.00 D was associated with reduced odds of membership in the stable change group (\u003cem\u003eOR\u003c/em\u003e = 0.512, \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e = 0.019), and maternal myopia with SE \u0026lt; \u0026minus;3.00 D showed a similar association (\u003cem\u003eOR\u003c/em\u003e = 0.350, \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e = 0.002). Relative to the slow change group, older age was also associated with a lower likelihood of belonging to the rapid change group (\u003cem\u003eOR\u003c/em\u003e = 0.615, \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e = 0.001). Paternal myopia with SE \u0026lt; \u0026minus;3.00 D was associated with substantially lower odds of membership in the rapid change group (\u003cem\u003eOR\u003c/em\u003e = 0.182, \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e \u0026lt; 0.001), and maternal myopia with SE \u0026lt; \u0026minus;3.00 D was likewise associated with reduced odds (\u003cem\u003eOR\u003c/em\u003e = 0.252, \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e = 0.001).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA sensitivity analysis was conducted with baseline axial length (AL) additionally included as a covariate. After adjustment for AL, paternal myopia with SE \u0026lt; \u0026minus;3.00 D was associated with an increased likelihood of belonging to the rapid refractive change group (\u003cem\u003eOR\u003c/em\u003e = 2.21, 95% \u003cem\u003eCI\u003c/em\u003e: 1.28\u0026ndash;3.83, \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e = 0.005), and maternal myopia with SE \u0026lt; \u0026minus;3.00 D showed a similar association (\u003cem\u003eOR\u003c/em\u003e = 2.42, 95% \u003cem\u003eCI\u003c/em\u003e: 1.31\u0026ndash;4.47, \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e = 0.005). Furthermore, each 1-mm increase in baseline AL was associated with a 2.57-fold increase in the odds of membership in the rapid change group (\u003cem\u003eOR\u003c/em\u003e = 2.57, 95% \u003cem\u003eCI\u003c/em\u003e: 1.91\u0026ndash;3.46, \u003cem\u003eP\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e\u0026lt; 0.001) (Table 4).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 3\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eUnivariate analysis of latent classes of refractive change trajectories in preschool children (\u003cem\u003en\u003c/em\u003e= 956)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"101%\"\u003e\n \u003cthead\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 28px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eVariables\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTotal(n=956)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSlow change group(n=111)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStable change group(n=714)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRapid change group(n=131)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eX\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e/H\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eP-value\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/thead\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 28px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBaseline age (years)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.00 [3.00, 5.00]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.00 [4.00, 5.00]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.00 [3.00, 4.00]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.00 [3.00, 4.50]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e11.149\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.004\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 28px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBirth weight (kg)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.35[3.03,3.65]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.30 [3.04, 3.50]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;3.35 [3.02, 3.70]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.36 [3.10, 3.67]\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.651\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.438\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 28px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGender (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.518\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.038\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 28px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e496 (51.9)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e63 (56.8)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e378 (52.9)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e55 (42.0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 28px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e460 (48.1)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e48 (43.2)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e336 (47.1)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e76 (58.0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 28px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGestational age (weeks) (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.725\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.256\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 28px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e28-37\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e133 (13.9)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e19 (17.1)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e101 (14.1)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e13 ( 9.9)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 28px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e37-40\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e823 (86.1)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e92 (82.9)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e613 (85.9)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e118 (90.1)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 28px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePaternal diopter (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e41.824\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 28px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;0.50 D>SE \u0026ge; \u0026minus;3.00 D\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;270 (28.2)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;25 (22.5)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;212 (29.7)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;33 (25.2)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 28px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSE<-3.00D\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;419 (43.8)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 68 (61.3)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;315 (44.1)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 36 (27.5)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 28px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSE\u0026ge;-0.50D\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;267 (27.9)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 18 (16.2)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;187 (26.2)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; 62 (47.3)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 28px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMaternal diopter \u0026nbsp;(%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e21.766\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 28px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026minus;0.50 D>SE \u0026ge; \u0026minus;3.00 D\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;250 (26.2)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;22 (19.8)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;186 (26.1)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;42 (32.1)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 28px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSE<-3.00D\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;508 (53.1)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;78 (70.3)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;376 (52.7)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;54 (41.2)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 28px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSE\u0026ge;-0.50D\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;198 (20.7)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;11 ( 9.9)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;152 (21.3)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;35 (26.7)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 28px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBaseline BMI (kg/m\u0026sup2;) (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.884\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.142\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 28px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOverweight/Obesity\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;25 ( 2.6)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;1 ( 0.9)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;20 ( 2.8)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;4 ( 3.1)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 28px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eUnderweight\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;96 (10.0)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;17 (15.3)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;71 ( 9.9)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;8 ( 6.1)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 28px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNormal weight\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;835 (87.3)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;93 (83.8)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;623 (87.3)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;119 (90.8)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 28px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDaily outdoor activity (h) (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.775\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.015\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 28px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e<2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e479 (50.1)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e62 (55.9)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e360 (50.4)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e57 (43.5)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 28px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026ge;2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e477 (49.9)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e49 (44.1)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e354 (49.6)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e74 (56.5)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 28px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePicky eating (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.384\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.847\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 28px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNever\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e184 (19.2)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e25 (22.5)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e133 (18.6)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e26 (19.8)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 28px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFrequently\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e173 (18.1)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e21 (18.9)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e127 (17.8)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e25 (19.1)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 28px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOccasionally\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e599 (62.7)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e65 (58.6)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e454 (63.6)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e80 (61.1)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 28px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePreference for sweet foods (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.287\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 28px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNever\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e25 ( 2.6)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6 ( 5.4)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e17 ( 2.4)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2 ( 1.5)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 28px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFrequently\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e448 (46.9)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e55 (49.5)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e332 (46.5)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e61 (46.6)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 28px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOccasionally\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e483 (50.5)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e50 (45.0)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e365 (51.1)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e68 (51.9)\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 6px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 4\u003c/strong\u003e Multinomial logistic regression analysis of latent classes of refractive change trajectories in preschool children\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"100%\" class=\"fr-table-selection-hover\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 26px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eVariables\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" colspan=\"3\" style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStable change group (vs. slow change group)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" colspan=\"3\" style=\"width: 24px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRapid change group (vs. slow change group)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 26px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 19px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026beta;(SE)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 16px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eP-value\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 12px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOR(95 %CI)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026beta;(SE)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 5px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eP-value\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOR(95 %CI)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 26px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBaseline age (years)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 19px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-0.381(0.115)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 16px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 12px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.68(0.55~0.86)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-0.486(0.152)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 5px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.62(0.46 ~0.83)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 26px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGender\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 19px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.286(0.212)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 16px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.177\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 12px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.33(0.88~2.01)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.792(0.272)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 5px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.004\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.21(1.30 ~3.76)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 26px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePaternal diopter\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e(SE<-3.00D)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 19px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-0.670(0.286)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 16px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.019\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 12px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.51(0.29~0.90)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-1.705(0.346)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 5px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.18(0.09 ~0.36)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 26px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMaternal diopter\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e(SE<-3.00D)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 19px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-1.050(0.342)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 16px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.002\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 12px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.35(0.18~0.68)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e-1.377(0.401)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 5px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.25(0.12 ~0.55)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 26px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDaily outdoor activity (h)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 19px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.284(0.218)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 16px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.013\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 12px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.12(0.11~0.76)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.312(0.276)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 5px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.17(0.03 ~0.26)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 26px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBaseline axial length\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e(AL, per 1 mm increase)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 19px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026mdash;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 16px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026mdash;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 12px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026mdash;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.943(0.152)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 5px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd nowrap=\"\" style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.57(1.91 ~3.46)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNote: AL was only included in the rapid change group model for sensitivity analysis; OR for AL was calculated per 1 mm increment.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeterogeneous latent classes of refractive change trajectories in preschool children\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis study applied LGMM to characterize 2-year longitudinal trajectories of refractive development among preschool children in Haidian District, Beijing. Moving beyond the assumption of homogeneous developmental patterns inherent in conventional growth models, three distinct latent trajectory classes were identified: the slow refractive change group, stable refractive change group, and rapid refractive change group. The distribution of these classes was balanced (11.6%, 74.7%, and 13.7%, respectively), and model fit indices indicated good classification performance (entropy = 0.887; both the Vuong\u0026ndash;Lo\u0026ndash;Mendell\u0026ndash;Rubin likelihood ratio test [VLMR-LRT] and the bootstrapped likelihood ratio test [BLRT] \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e \u0026lt; 0.05). These findings highlight substantial heterogeneity in refractive development during the preschool period and provide a useful framework for understanding early-life variation in refractive trajectories and identifying children at elevated risk of myopia.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStable refractive change group: the largest category of refractive development\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this study, 74.7% of preschool children were classified into the stable refractive change group, characterized by mean SE values of 1.106 D, 1.053 D, and 0.750 D at T1, T2, and T3, respectively, demonstrating a gradual decline over time (slope = \u0026minus;0.172, \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e \u0026lt; 0.001). This trajectory is consistent with the physiological process of emmetropization observed during early childhood. Most children are born with mild hyperopia, which gradually decreases as ocular structures develop, including axial elongation and coordinated adjustment of corneal and lens refractive power. The modest reduction in SE observed in this group likely reflects normal maturation of the refractive system and appropriate coupling between ocular growth and optical power [19]. Children in this trajectory class exhibited a refractive development pattern indicative of relatively balanced ocular growth, which may correspond to a lower probability of early myopia onset. Previous longitudinal studies have similarly reported relatively stable refractive changes during the preschool years [20\u0026ndash;21]. For example, Yu et al. [22] conducted a 3-year cohort study in Shanghai and found that refractive changes occurred more gradually among children aged 3-6 years than among those aged 7-9 years, supporting the view that refractive development during early childhood generally follows a regulated physiological course.\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRapid refractive change group: a high-risk population requiring early intervention\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eApproximately 13.7% of children were classified into the rapid refractive change group. Although this group exhibited the highest baseline SE value (T1 = 2.247 D), it showed the steepest decline over time (slope = \u0026minus;0.372, \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e \u0026lt; 0.001), with SE decreasing to 1.909 D at T3. The rate of hyperopic reserve depletion in this group was markedly greater than that observed in the other trajectory classes. Accelerated consumption of hyperopic reserve is widely recognized as a critical precursor to myopia onset, and longitudinal evidence indicates that the cumulative incidence of insufficient hyperopic reserve increases with age and is strongly associated with the risk of developing myopia [23]. Despite having adequate initial hyperopic reserve, children in this trajectory experienced excessive depletion within only two years, suggesting a state of relatively rapid ocular axial elongation (\u0026ldquo;ocular overgrowth\u0026rdquo;). Without timely monitoring and intervention, these children may transition from physiological refractive development to pathological myopia. Therefore, this subgroup represents a key target population for early identification and proactive prevention strategies.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSlow refractive change group: a distinct high-risk population characterized by limited baseline hyperopic reserve\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the present study, 11.6% of children were classified into the slow refractive change group, which exhibited the lowest baseline SE value (T1 = \u0026minus;0.104 D), indicating minimal hyperopic reserve at study entry. Although the apparent rate of refractive change was relatively modest (slope = \u0026minus;0.164, \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e \u0026lt; 0.001), trajectory classification in LGMM is strongly influenced by baseline refractive status. Children with limited initial hyperopic reserve may demonstrate smaller absolute changes in SE but remain at elevated risk of myopia onset due to insufficient physiological buffering capacity.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParental high myopia was strongly associated with reduced baseline hyperopic reserve. When baseline ocular parameters were not accounted for, parental myopia appeared to be a \u0026ldquo;protective factor\u0026rdquo; in the multinomial regression model, a finding inconsistent with established clinical evidence. To address the dependency of trajectory classification on baseline refractive status, a sensitivity analysis incorporating baseline axial length (AL) was performed. The results demonstrated that each 1-mm increase in baseline AL was associated with a 2.57-fold increase in the odds of being classified into the rapid refractive change group (\u003cem\u003eOR\u003c/em\u003e = 2.57, 95% \u003cem\u003eCI\u003c/em\u003e: 1.91\u0026ndash;3.46, \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e \u0026lt; 0.001).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese findings indicate that early elongation of axial length in preschool children is closely associated with accelerated refractive change and an increased risk of subsequent myopia. This result is consistent with the longitudinal findings reported by Yum et al. [24], who identified axial elongation as a key predictor of early-onset high myopia. Similarly, Sun et al. [25] reported that increased axial length in preschool children aged 3\u0026ndash;6 years in Tongzhou District, Beijing, was significantly associated with early-stage pathological refractive development. Taken together, preschool children presenting with longer baseline axial length or limited hyperopic reserve represent a high-priority population for targeted monitoring and preventive intervention.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeterminants of latent trajectory membership in preschool refractive development\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe present study identified baseline age, sex, parental moderate-to-high myopia (SE \u0026lt; \u0026minus;3.00 D), and daily outdoor activity duration as independent determinants of refractive trajectory classification. In contrast, no significant associations were observed for gestational age, birth weight, baseline BMI, picky eating behavior, or preference for sweet foods. These findings provide clinically relevant evidence supporting the early identification of children at elevated risk of myopia and facilitate the development of individualized prevention strategies.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBaseline age\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnivariate analysis demonstrated a significant difference in baseline age distribution among the three trajectory groups (Kruskal\u0026ndash;Wallis H = 11.149, \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e = 0.004). Multinomial regression analysis further indicated that increasing baseline age was associated with a lower likelihood of classification into both the stable refractive change group (OR = 0.683, P = 0.001) and the rapid refractive change group (OR = 0.615, P = 0.001), relative to the slow refractive change group. In other words, younger preschool children were more likely to exhibit trajectories characterized by more pronounced refractive changes.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis finding is consistent with established physiological patterns of ocular development. Axial length increases rapidly during infancy and early childhood, particularly before 3 years of age, after which the growth rate gradually decelerates and stabilizes toward adolescence [26]. Younger children typically exhibit less mature ocular regulatory mechanisms and greater susceptibility to rapid depletion of hyperopic reserve. When combined with environmental exposures, this may increase the likelihood of entering a rapid refractive progression trajectory.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClinically, refractive monitoring in very young children is often insufficiently emphasized. The present findings suggest that children aged approximately 3 years represent a critical window for early screening. For children presenting with additional risk factors, early establishment of refractive records, shorter follow-up intervals, and timely preventive intervention are recommended. These findings are consistent with the principle of early monitoring and early intervention emphasized in the Technical Guidelines for Myopia Prevention and Control in Children and Adolescents (2018) [27].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSex\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSignificant differences in sex distribution were observed across trajectory classes in univariate analysis (\u0026chi;\u0026sup2; = 6.518, \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e = 0.038). Multinomial regression analysis demonstrated that female children had a significantly higher likelihood of belonging to the rapid refractive change group compared with male children (\u003cem\u003eOR\u003c/em\u003e = 2.207, \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e = 0.004). This observation is consistent with previous studies reporting sex-specific differences in refractive development [29].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePotential mechanisms may involve differences in ocular biometric development and hormonal regulation. Female children generally exhibit slightly smaller ocular dimensions, which may limit compensatory capacity during axial elongation and contribute to faster depletion of hyperopic reserve, particularly during late preschool years (4-5 years). However, sex was not significantly associated with membership in the stable refractive change group (\u003cem\u003eOR\u003c/em\u003e = 1.331, \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e = 0.177), suggesting that sex-related effects may primarily influence the subgroup characterized by accelerated refractive change. These findings support the need for sex-specific considerations in precision prevention strategies.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eParental myopia\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMultinomial regression analysis demonstrated that parental moderate-to-high myopia (SE \u0026lt; \u0026minus;3.00 D) was significantly associated with refractive trajectory classification. Relative to the slow refractive change group, paternal moderate-to-high myopia was associated with lower odds of classification into both the stable refractive change group (\u003cem\u003eOR\u003c/em\u003e = 0.512, \u003cem\u003eP\u0026nbsp;\u003c/em\u003e= 0.019) and the rapid refractive change group (\u003cem\u003eOR\u003c/em\u003e = 0.182, \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e \u0026lt; 0.001). Similarly, maternal moderate-to-high myopia was associated with reduced odds of classification into the stable refractive change group (\u003cem\u003eOR\u003c/em\u003e = 0.350, \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e = 0.002) and the rapid refractive change group (\u003cem\u003eOR\u003c/em\u003e = 0.252, \u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e = 0.001).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough these findings may appear inconsistent with the established association between parental myopia and increased offspring risk, they primarily reflect differences in baseline refractive status across trajectory classes. Children with highly myopic parents often present with reduced hyperopic reserve at baseline, resulting in trajectory classification into groups characterized by smaller absolute refractive change despite elevated long-term myopia risk. Previous studies have consistently demonstrated strong familial aggregation of myopia, with substantially higher incidence rates among children with myopic parents [29,30]. Genetic influences may regulate axial elongation dynamics and corneal curvature development, thereby modulating the emmetropization process. Consequently, parental myopia remains a critical risk indicator for early refractive monitoring.\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOutdoor activity duration\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDaily outdoor activity duration\u0026nbsp;\u0026ge;\u0026nbsp;2 hours was identified as a significant protective factor influencing refractive trajectory classification. Compared with children engaging in \u0026lt; 2 hours of daily outdoor activity, those with\u0026nbsp;\u0026ge;\u0026nbsp;2 hours exhibited substantially reduced likelihood of belonging to trajectory groups characterized by more pronounced refractive change. These findings are consistent with previous epidemiological evidence [13].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe protective effect of outdoor exposure may be mediated through increased light intensity stimulating retinal dopamine release, which inhibits excessive axial elongation. Given that the preschool period represents a critical window for refractive development, ensuring at least 2 hours of daily outdoor activity may effectively preserve hyperopic reserve and reduce the risk of myopia onset. These findings provide evidence-based support for both clinical counseling and public health interventions. Future studies should further investigate the effects of specific outdoor activity patterns, light intensity, and exposure duration on refractive trajectory heterogeneity.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusions","content":"\u003cp\u003eBased on longitudinal LGMM, this study identified three distinct refractive development trajectories in preschool children: slow progression, stable progression, and rapid progression, revealing significant heterogeneity in early refractive development. Hospitals, families, and communities should collaborate to implement targeted predictive interventions through dynamic risk assessment, with priority given to continuous monitoring of high-risk subgroups\u0026mdash;such as children with insufficient hyperopic reserve, parental myopia, and daily outdoor activity duration of less than 2 hours. For children with longer baseline axial length, establishing a refractive development archive is recommended to closely monitor refractive progression, and comprehensive strategies should be adopted to delay myopia onset. For children with stable refractive changes, regular monitoring remains essential. Future studies should establish a graded dynamic assessment system for myopia prevention and control in preschool children, tailoring interventions to trajectory-specific characteristics to achieve precise prevention and control of preschool myopia.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStudy limitations\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis study has several limitations. First, trajectory classification may have been dependent on baseline refractive status, as LGMM assigns substantial weight to baseline values. This could lead to the misclassification of children with insufficient baseline hyperopic reserve but rapid myopic progression into the slow-progression group; although baseline axial length was included for adjustment, classification bias could not be completely eliminated. Second, the observation period was only 2 years, which did not cover the critical transition period from preschool to primary school. This precluded verification of the long-term stability of the identified trajectories and their association with long-term myopic outcomes. Third, the sample was recruited from a single district in Beijing, representing a single-center regional population; therefore, caution should be exercised when generalizing the conclusions. Future studies with longer follow-up periods and multi-center designs are warranted to validate the findings of the present study.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Abbreviations","content":"\u003cp\u003eLGMM \u0026nbsp;Latent Growth Mixture Model\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSE \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Spherical equivalent ,\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAL \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Axial length\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCR \u0026nbsp; Average corneal curvature\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgements\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo specific funding was received for the conduct of this study. All authors thank the preschool children and their guardians who participated in this research for their valuable cooperation, as well as the research team members for their efforts in data collection and follow-up surveys.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthors\u0026rsquo; contributions\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHou J collected and cleaned the clinical data, performed statistical analyses, drafted the initial manuscript, and prepared all figures and tables. Jiao YH, Bian SM, Li Y , Ma ZF, Sha Y , Song W, reviewed the clinical data, interpreted the research results, and revised the manuscript critically for important intellectual content. Zhang WX conceptualized the study, designed the research protocol, supervised the entire study process, and finalized the manuscript. All authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript and take responsibility for the integrity and accuracy of all parts of the work.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability of data and materials\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available fromthe corresponding author on reasonable request.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthics and consent to participate\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University (approval number: TRECK-Y2019-152). \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent for publication\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot applicable in the article.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompeting interests\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare no competing interests.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eZadnik K, Schulman E, Flitcroft I, Fogt IS, Blumenfeld LC, Fong TM, et al. Efficacy and safety of 0.01% and 0.02% atropine for the treatment of pediatric myopia progression over 3 years: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2023;141(10):990\u0026ndash;9.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHolden BA, Fricke TR, Wilson DA, et al. Global prevalence of myopia and high myopia and temporal trends from 2000 through 2050. Ophthalmology. 2016;123(5):1036\u0026ndash;42.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNational Health Commission of the People's Republic of China. Transcript of the press conference on July 13. 2021. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttp://www.nhc.gov.cn/xcs/s3574/202107/2fef24a3b77246fc9fb36dc8943af700.shtml\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"http://www.nhc.gov.cn/xcs/s3574/202107/2fef24a3b77246fc9fb36dc8943af700.shtml\" targettype=\"URL\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e (accessed 2026-01-10).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSaw SM, Tong L, Chua WH, et al. Incidence and progression of myopia in Singaporean school children. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2005;46(1):51\u0026ndash;7.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHu Y, Ding X, Guo X, et al. Association of age at myopia onset with risk of high myopia in adulthood in a 12-year follow-up of a Chinese cohort. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2020;138(11):1129\u0026ndash;34.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChua SY, Sabanayagam C, Cheung YB, et al. Age of onset of myopia predicts risk of high myopia in later childhood in myopic Singapore children. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2016;36(4):388\u0026ndash;94.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHaarman AEG, Enthoven CA, Tideman JWL, et al. The complications of myopia: A review and meta-analysis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2020;61(4):49.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNaidoo KS, Fricke TR, Frick KD, et al. Potential lost productivity resulting from the global burden of myopia: systematic review, meta-analysis, and modeling. Ophthalmology. 2019;126(3):338\u0026ndash;46.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOphthalmology and Optometry Branch of China National Ethnic Medicine Association. Beijing Ophthalmology and Optometry Society. Expert consensus on pre-myopia management in China (2025). Chin J Ophthalmol. 2025;61(12):957\u0026ndash;67.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTang ML, Liu Y, Qin R, et al. Prevalence characteristics of myopia and pre-myopia among 5-6-year-old children in kindergartens from 10 provinces in China. J Peking Univ (Health Sci). 2025;57(3):442\u0026ndash;7.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMatsumura S, Dannoue K, Kawakami M, Uemura K, Kameyama A, Takei A, Hori Y. Prevalence of Myopia and Its Associated Factors Among Japanese Preschool Children. Front Public Health. 2022;10:901480.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeng JX, Jiang MM, Feng YQ, et al. Survey on refractive status of 3-6-year-old preschool children in Yangpu District of Shanghai. Chin J Prim Health Care. 2023;37(9):27\u0026ndash;30.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMa ZF, Hou J, Mi XJ, et al. Prevalence and influencing factors of myopia among preschool children in Haidian District of Beijing. Ophthalmol China. 2024;33(5):362\u0026ndash;6.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eXie X, Ma J, Chen Q, et al. Evaluation of myopia status and eye use behavior in school-age and preschool children. PLoS ONE. 2025;20(6):e0322569.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDiPietro NA. Methods in epidemiology: observational study designs. Pharmacotherapy. 2010;30(10):973\u0026ndash;84.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNylund KL, Asparouhov T, Muth\u0026eacute;n BO. Deciding on the number of classes in latent class analysis and growth mixture modeling: A Monte Carlo simulation study. Struct Equ Model Multidiscip J. 2007;14(4):535\u0026ndash;69.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWolfsohn JS, Flitcroft DI, Gifford KL, et al. IMI-Myopia control reports: overview and introduction. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2019;60(3):M1\u0026ndash;19.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYu JH, Chen XN, Gao YH, et al. Application of latent class growth mixture model in medical research. Chin J Health Stat. 2018;35(4):496\u0026ndash;9.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWei RH, Lu DQ, Jin N, et al. Interpretation of the white paper on myopia prevention and control research by the International Myopia Institute (IMI). Rec Adv Ophthalmol. 2019;39(8):701\u0026ndash;13.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYum HR, Park SH, Shin SY. Longitudinal analysis of refraction and ocular biometrics in preschool children with early-onset high myopia. Sci Rep. 2023;13(1):22474.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBro T, L\u0026ouml;fgren S. Relatively Stable Prevalence of Myopia among Swedish Children Aged 4 to 7 Years between 2015 and 2020. Optom Vis Sci. 2023;100(1):91\u0026ndash;5.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYu Y, Chen H, Zhang Z, et al. Risk factors for rapid axial length growth in a prospective cohort study of 3-year to 9-year-old Chinese children. Br J Ophthalmol. 2025;109(9):1064\u0026ndash;73.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLi SM, Kang MT, Li L, et al. Cohort study on the association between hyperopia reserve and myopia incidence in primary school students: the Anyang Childhood Eye Study. Zhonghua Yan Ke Za Zhi (Chin J Ophthalmol). 2022;58(10):754\u0026ndash;9.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYum HR, Park SH, Shin SY. Longitudinal analysis of refraction and ocular biometrics in preschool children with early-onset high myopia. Sci Rep. 2023;13(1):22474.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSun YY, Zhu BD, Li L, Li HJ, Wang SN, Qiu Y, Qin X, Cui JT, Li YB, Fu J. Prevalence and characteristics of pre-myopia among 3-6-year-old preschool children in Tongzhou District of Beijing. Ophthalmol China. 2024;33(4):280\u0026ndash;4.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChen S, Guo Y, Han X, et al. Axial growth driven by physical development among myopia children: a two-year cohort study. J Clin Med. 2022;11(13):3642.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOptometry Group of Ophthalmology Branch of Chinese Medical Association, Optometry Professional Committee of Ophthalmologist Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association. Technical Guidelines for Myopia Prevention and Control in Children and Adolescents. (2018). Chin J Ophthalmol. 2018;54(3):164\u0026ndash;168.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYu M, Hu Y, Han M, et al. Global risk factor analysis of myopia onset in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS ONE. 2023;18(9):e0291470.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eŠenk U, Čižman B, Writzl K, et al. Genetic background of high myopia in children. PLoS ONE. 2024;19(11):e0313121.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePu J, Fang Y, Zhou Z, et al. The Impact of Parental Myopia and High Myopia on the Hyperopia Reserve of Preschool Children. Ophthalmic Res. 2024;67(1):115\u0026ndash;24.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Preschool children, Refractive error, Myopia, Latent Class Growth Mixture Model, Trajectory, Influencing factors","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9302334/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9302334/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003ch2\u003eBackground\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eEarly-onset myopia increases the risk of high myopia in adolescence. This study aimed to identify heterogeneous trajectories of refractive change in preschool children using the Latent Growth Mixture Model (LGMM) and to explore their associated influencing factors, thereby providing a scientific basis for precise myopia prevention and control.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eMethods\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eCluster sampling was used to recruit 956 preschool children from 27 kindergartens in Haidian District, Beijing, between October 2021 and October 2023. A basic information questionnaire was administered to collect general demographic data. Ocular refractive biometry was performed annually to track the changes in refractive status over the 2-year follow-up period. LGMM was used to identify heterogeneous refractive trajectories. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was subsequently used to explore the factors associated with trajectory membership.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eResults\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThree distinct refractive change trajectories were identified: the slow change group (\u003cem\u003en\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;111, 11.6%), the stable change group (\u003cem\u003en\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;714, 74.7%), and the rapid change group (\u003cem\u003en\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;131, 13.7%). Multinomial logistic regression revealed that children\u0026rsquo;s age, sex, parental moderate-to-high myopia, and daily outdoor activity duration were independent predictors of latent classes for refractive development trajectories in preschool children.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eConclusions\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePreschool children exhibit three distinct trajectories of refractive change, demonstrating significant population heterogeneity. Myopia prevention strategies may benefit from risk stratification based on early refractive trajectories.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Trajectory of Refractive Change and Its Influencing Factors in Preschool Children: A Longitudinal Study","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2026-04-15 09:09:56","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9302334/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"accb00f9-1f42-4e7f-8cff-6b054dd4aa12","owner":[],"postedDate":"April 15th, 2026","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[{"type":"decision","content":"Rejected","date":"2026-05-05T07:45:44+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-05-05T07:55:48+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2026-04-15 09:09:56","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-9302334","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-9302334","identity":"rs-9302334","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}

Text is read by the "Ask this paper" AI Q&A widget below. Extraction quality varies by source — PMC NXML preserves structure cleanly, OA-HTML may include some navigation residue, and OA-PDF can have broken hyphenation. The publisher copy (via DOI) is the canonical version.

My notes (saved in your browser only)

Ask this paper AI returns verbatim quotes from the full text · source: preprint-html

Answers must be backed by verbatim quotes from this paper's full text. Hallucinated quotes are dropped automatically; if no verbatim passage answers the question, we say so. How this works

Citation neighborhood (no data yet)

We don't have any in-corpus citations linked to this paper yet. This is a recent paper (2026) — citers typically take a year or two to land, and the OpenAlex reference graph may still be filling in.

Source provenance

europepmc
last seen: 2026-05-20T01:45:00.602351+00:00