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Assessment of risk factors for infantile cataracts using a case-control study: National Birth Defects Prevention
Sasapin G Prakalapakorn1, Sonja A Rasmussen, Scott R Lambert
1Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Insights
Very low birth weight is a significant risk factor for infantile cataracts, affecting both unilateral and bilateral cases. Low birth weight is linked to bilateral cataracts, while primigravidity is associated with unilateral cases.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neonatalogy
- Public Health
Background:
- Infantile cataracts are a significant cause of visual impairment in infants.
- Identifying risk factors for infantile cataracts of unknown etiology is crucial for prevention and early intervention.
- Previous research has explored various potential risk factors, but conclusive evidence remains limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate risk factors associated with infantile cataracts of unknown etiology.
- To differentiate risk factors for unilateral versus bilateral infantile cataracts.
- To inform public health strategies for reducing the incidence of infantile cataracts.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study design was employed.
- Infants diagnosed with infantile cataracts (cases) were compared to a control group of infants.
- Data were collected through maternal interviews and analyzed using multivariate logistic regression.
Main Results:
- Very low birth weight (<1500 g) showed a strong association with both unilateral (OR, 6.0) and bilateral (OR, 13.2) infantile cataracts.
- Low birth weight (1500-2499 g) was associated with bilateral cataracts (OR, 3.3).
- Primigravidity was borderline significantly associated with unilateral cataracts (OR, 1.6).
Conclusions:
- Very low birth weight is a key risk factor for both unilateral and bilateral infantile cataracts.
- Low birth weight and primigravidity are also associated with specific types of infantile cataracts.
- Further research is warranted for potential risk factors like maternal substance abuse, UTIs, and aspirin use during pregnancy.
Objective:
To identify risk factors for infantile cataracts of unknown etiology.
Design:
Case-control study.
Participants:
Case infants (n = 152) and control infants (n = 4205) enrolled in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study for birth years 2000-2004.
Methods:
Multivariate analysis was performed exploring associations for risk factors for bilateral and unilateral infantile cataracts of unknown etiology.
Main Outcome Measures:
Infantile cataracts of unknown etiology.
Results:
Maternal interviews were completed for 43 case infants with bilateral and 109 with unilateral infantile cataracts of unknown etiology. Very low birth weight (<1500 g) was associated with both unilateral (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 6.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.2-16.3) and bilateral (OR, 13.2; 95% CI, 4.2-41.1) cataracts, whereas low birth weight (1500-2499 g) was only associated with bilateral cataracts (OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.3-8.1). Infants with unilateral cataracts were more likely to be born to primigravid women (OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.0-2.7) than women with > or =2 previous pregnancies, although this was of borderline significance. Although not significant, effect estimates were elevated suggesting a possible association between unilateral cataracts and maternal substance abuse during pregnancy, and between bilateral cataracts and urinary tract infection during pregnancy and aspirin use during pregnancy.
Conclusions:
Very low birth weight is associated with both bilateral and unilateral cataracts, whereas low birth weight is associated with bilateral cataracts and primigravidity with unilateral cataracts. Other associations, although not statistically significant, suggest risk factors that merit further research.
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