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Increased Incidence of Mental Disorders in Children with Cataract: Findings from a Population-based Study

Moug Al-Bakri1, Anne Mette Skovgaard2, Daniella Bach-Holm3

  • 1From the Department of Ophthalmology, Rigshospitalet (M.A.-L., D.B.-HH, L.K.).

American Journal of Ophthalmology
|October 14, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Children with cataract have nearly double the incidence of mental disorders, with higher risks for anxiety and developmental delay. Early diagnosis before age 3 significantly increases this risk.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Child Psychiatry
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Cataract in childhood can impact development.
  • Understanding the link between childhood cataract and mental health is crucial for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the incidence of mental disorders in children with cataract compared to those without.
  • To identify specific mental health risks associated with childhood cataract.

Main Methods:

  • A nationwide cohort study utilized comprehensive national databases.
  • Compared children diagnosed with cataract before age 10 to sex- and age-matched controls.
  • Adjusted analyses for somatic diseases, parental socioeconomic status, and psychiatric history.

Main Results:

  • Children with cataract had a nearly doubled incidence of mental disorders (OR, 1.83).
  • Quadrupled risk of anxiety disorders (OR, 4.10) and doubled risk of developmental delay (OR, 2.66).
  • Increased risk was most pronounced in children diagnosed within the first 3 years of life (OR, 2.36).

Conclusions:

  • Childhood cataract is associated with a significantly increased risk of mental disorders, particularly anxiety and neurodevelopmental delay.
  • Early diagnosis of cataract (within the first 3 years) further elevates this risk.
  • Integrating psychiatric screening into the management of children with cataract is recommended.
Abstract

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