Cataract in children and adolescents with fibrocalculous pancreatic diabetes

B Zabeen1, Z Khaled, J Nahar

  • 1Changing Diabetes in Children (CDIC) & Life for a Child Programme - BADAS, BIRDEM, Shahbagh, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Insights

Cataracts are a frequent complication in children and adolescents with Fibrocalculous Pancreatic Diabetes (FCPD). This study found 24% of young FCPD patients developed bilateral cataracts, often the snowflake cortical type.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Endocrinology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Fibrocalculous Pancreatic Diabetes (FCPD) is a unique form of diabetes linked to chronic pancreatitis in tropical regions.
  • Cataracts are rarely documented in FCPD patients.
  • Understanding FCPD's ocular complications is crucial for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the frequency of cataracts in pediatric and adolescent patients diagnosed with FCPD.
  • To characterize the types of cataracts observed in this population.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective study was conducted at a specialized diabetes research institute in Bangladesh.
  • Data from 83 pediatric FCPD patients admitted between 2000 and 2007 were analyzed.
  • Twenty patients (24%) with bilateral cataracts were included for detailed examination.

Main Results:

  • A significant proportion (24%) of pediatric FCPD patients presented with bilateral cataracts.
  • The mean age of diabetes onset was 13.9 years, with a notable female predominance (90%).
  • Patients experienced prolonged symptoms before diagnosis (mean 15 months) and exhibited hyperglycemia (mean HbA1c 18.4%).
  • Snowflake cortical deposits and posterior subcapsular cataracts were the predominant types observed.

Conclusions:

  • Cataracts appear to be a common complication in pediatric and adolescent FCPD.
  • Early diagnosis and management of FCPD may be essential to mitigate ocular complications like cataracts.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the pathophysiology and optimal treatment strategies.

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