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[Pediatric Cataracts: A Retrospective Study of 12 Years (2004 - 2016)]
Jorge Moreira1, Isabel Ribeiro1, Ágata Mota1
1Serviço de Oftalmologia. Hospital Pedro Hispano. Matosinhos. Portugal.
Insights
Pediatric cataracts, a leading cause of childhood blindness, were studied in 42 cases. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial, though prevention remains a global challenge due to many unknown causes.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Pediatric cataracts are a significant, preventable cause of childhood blindness.
- Timely therapeutic intervention is essential for optimal visual prognosis.
- Understanding the epidemiology of pediatric cataracts aids primary prevention and early diagnosis initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the clinical characteristics and epidemiological profile of pediatric cataracts.
- To identify common presenting signs, etiologies, and associated conditions.
- To evaluate treatment outcomes and complications in pediatric cataract cases.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of clinical cases diagnosed with pediatric cataracts over 12 years.
- Data collection included patient demographics, clinical presentation, etiology, associated conditions, treatment, and outcomes.
- Analysis of 42 pediatric cataract cases from Hospital Pedro Hispano, Porto.
Main Results:
- 42 pediatric cataract cases identified, with equal gender distribution and a mean age of 6 years at diagnosis.
- Bilateral disease was present in 64.3% of cases; decreased visual acuity (36.8%) and leucocoria (26.3%) were common signs.
- Etiology was unknown in 59.5%, nuclear cataracts predominated (32.5%), and 33.3% had associated ocular abnormalities. Surgical treatment was performed in 47.6%, with 35% experiencing complications, most commonly posterior capsular opacification (25%).
Conclusions:
- The study presents 42 pediatric cataract cases, likely reflecting the condition's low prevalence.
- Despite limitations like small sample size, findings align with existing literature on pediatric cataracts.
- The high rate of idiopathic pediatric cataracts underscores the ongoing global challenge in disease prevention.
Introduction:
Cataracts are a major cause of preventable childhood blindness. Visual prognosis of these patients depends on a prompt therapeutic approach. Understanding pediatric cataracts epidemiology is of great importance for the implementation of programs of primary prevention and early diagnosis.
Material And Methods:
We reviewed the clinical cases of pediatric cataracts diagnosed in the last 12 years at Hospital Pedro Hispano, in Porto.
Results:
We identified 42 cases of pediatric cataracts with an equal gender distribution. The mean age at diagnosis was 6 years and 64.3% of patients had bilateral disease. Decreased visual acuity was the commonest presenting sign (36.8%) followed by leucocoria (26.3%). The etiology was unknown in 59.5% of cases and there was a slight predominance of nuclear type cataract (32.5%). Cataract was associated with systemic diseases in 23.8% of cases and with ocular abnormalities in 33.3% of cases. 47.6% of patients were treated surgically. Postoperative complications occurred in 35% of cases and posterior capsular opacification was the most common (25%).
Discussion:
The report of 42 cases is probably the result of the low prevalence of cataracts in this age. Although the limitations of our study include small sample size, the profile of children with cataracts in our hospital has characteristics relatively similar to those described in the literature.
Conclusion:
Given the high proportion of idiopathic pediatric cataracts, prevention of the disease remains a challenge worldwide.
