Pediatric keratoconus epidemiology: a systematic scoping review

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Pediatric keratoconus (KC) is a progressive corneal condition affecting children and adolescents, leading to vision loss.
• Early intervention can prevent severe outcomes like penetrating keratoplasty, irreversible vision loss, and amblyopia.
• Systematic reviews on pediatric KC epidemiology are scarce.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a systematic scoping review of pediatric KC epidemiology.
• To analyze studies reporting data on pediatric KC incidence and prevalence.

Main Methods:

• Systematic scoping review adhering to PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
• Searched PubMed-MEDLINE and Cochrane Database (1998-2019) using specific MeSH terms for pediatric KC epidemiology.
• Included 76 articles after screening 1802 records.

Main Results:

• Recent studies show increased pediatric KC prevalence compared to older literature.
• Improved diagnostic methods and sample selection likely contribute to higher reported rates.
• Early pediatric KC is often asymptomatic, posing diagnostic challenges.

Conclusions:

• Enhanced diagnostic methods have revealed higher pediatric KC prevalence.
• Economic and social impacts of pediatric KC require further investigation.
• Proactive school-based screening programs are essential for early detection and management.