[Epidemiologic and etiological characteristics of congenital cataract: study of 59 cases over 10 years]

The goal of this study was to analyze the epidemiology and maternal, prenatal and perinatal risk factors for congenital cataracts.

We conducted a retrospective study of all consecutive cases of congenital cataracts diagnosed and managed at hôpital Nord Marseille, France. We describe demographic, personal, maternal and familial characteristics of these patients.

We identified 59 children with congenital cataract. The group consists of 31 girls (53%) and 28 boys (47%). Cataract was bilateral in 71% of cases and unilateral in 29% of cases. This group is first divided according to etiological forms. Idiopathic cataract accounts for 63% of patients. Genetic and infectious cataract accounts for 34% and 3%, respectively. According to the clinical presentation, congenital cataract was an isolated finding in 51% of cases. It was associated with ocular abnormalities in 27% of cases and with systemic abnormalities in 22% of cases. The diagnosis was made upon routine screening in 41% of cases. Leucoria and strabismus led to the diagnosis in 24% and 19%, respectively. The average age of diagnosis was 19.7 months.

Congenital cataract is a relatively rare condition. The description of a series of 59 cases is important as well as the comparison of our results to large epidemiological data previously published. The elucidation of novel risk factors requires consideration at a national or even global scale.