Congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in premature children

To determine the incidence of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) in premature and full-term children.

Medical records of 200 premature and 200 full-term children from July 2004 to November 2009 at the Peri-Peri Health Center were retrospectively reviewed. Fifty-three nasolacrimal ducts in 32 premature children (21 patients were bilateral) and 9 nasolacrimal ducts in 7 full-term children (2 patients were bilateral) diagnosed as having CNLDO were retrospectively examined.

Of the 200 premature children, 32 (16%) had CNLDO compared with 7 (3.5%) of the 200 full-term infants (P < .0001). Thirty premature infants and five full-term children underwent conservative treatment. Bilateral obstruction was found in all 3 extremely premature children (gestational age < 28 weeks), in 9 (69.23%) moderately premature children (gestational age of 28 to 31 weeks), in 9 (56.25%) mildly premature children (gestational age of 32 to 36 weeks), and in 2 (28.57%) full-term children (gestational age > 37 weeks).

This study reported a higher incidence of CNLDO in preterm infants when compared to full-term infants. This might be expected in light of the normal development of the nasolacrimal duct system, the patency of which normally occurs after the preterm infant is born.