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Visually impaired Swedish children. The 1980 cohort study--aspects on mortality
1Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Lund, Sweden.
Insights
Visually impaired children face significantly higher mortality rates, especially those with multiple impairments. Respiratory issues were the leading cause of death in this vulnerable pediatric population.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Childhood visual impairment presents unique health challenges.
- Mortality data in pediatric visual impairment cohorts are crucial for understanding long-term outcomes.
- Geographically defined studies provide valuable insights into specific population health burdens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the mortality burden in a cohort of visually impaired children.
- To compare mortality rates with the general pediatric population.
- To identify risk factors and causes of death associated with childhood visual impairment.
Main Methods:
- A 19-year follow-up study.
- Utilized medical records and death certificates for data collection.
- Compared mortality rates to age-specific Swedish population data.
Main Results:
- 17% of 128 visually impaired children died over 19 years, a highly significant increase compared to the general population (p<0.000001).
- All deceased children had additional impairments; respiratory causes accounted for 12 of 17 deaths.
- Cerebral visual impairment and optic atrophy were common ophthalmological diagnoses. Higher visual impairment levels correlated with increased mortality risk.
Conclusions:
- Visually impaired children, particularly those with multiple impairments, experience significantly elevated mortality.
- Respiratory failure is a primary cause of death in this cohort.
- Severity of visual impairment is a risk factor for increased mortality in children.
Purpose:
Assessment of the burden of mortality in a cohort of visually impaired children in a geographically defined area.
Methods:
A 19-year follow-up of medical records and death certificates.
Results And Conclusions:
Of the initial 128 patients, born 1962-76, 17 (13%) had died, giving a highly significant increase in mortality compared to the equivalent age-specific Swedish population (p-value <0.000001). All deceased had additional impairments. Respiratory causes of death were found in 12/17 cases. The primary ophthalmological diagnosis was cerebral visual impairment in 8 cases, optic atrophy in 6 cases, one each of congenital cataract, microphthalmus and chorioretinitis. A more pronounced level of visual impairment gave an increased risk of mortality. A significantly higher mortality rate among multiply impaired was seen in the combined group with 'childhood blindness' (visual acuity <0.05) and 'visual impairment, undetermined or unknown' opposed to the group with 'low vision' (visual acuity 0.05-<0.3) (p=0.047).
