Prevalence and prenatal diagnosis of congenital eye anomalies: A population-based study

Corentin Maillet1, Lucie Guilbaud1, Isabelle Monier2

  • 1Department of Fetal Medicine, Sorbonne University, AP-HP Sorbonne University, Trousseau Hospital, Paris, France.

Insights

Congenital eye anomalies (CEAs) affect 4.1 per 10,000 births, with a 23.5% prenatal diagnosis rate. Isolated CEAs have a lower detection rate of 13.3%.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Medical Genetics
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Congenital eye anomalies (CEAs) represent a significant public health concern.
  • Understanding the prevalence and diagnostic trends of CEAs is crucial for early intervention and management.
  • Previous studies have varied in scope and geographical focus.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To estimate the prevalence and temporal trends of congenital eye anomalies (CEAs) over a decade.
  • To determine the rate of prenatal diagnosis for CEAs and its evolution.
  • To analyze the characteristics of CEAs, including laterality and associated anomalies.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective, population-based registry study was conducted in Paris, France, from 2010 to 2020.
  • Data included live births, stillbirths after 22 weeks gestation, and pregnancy terminations.
  • Prevalence was calculated using 95% Poisson exact confidence intervals.

Main Results:

  • The overall prevalence of CEAs was 4.1 cases per 10,000 births.
  • CEAs were prenatally diagnosed in 23.5% of all cases.
  • Prenatal diagnosis rates varied significantly: 29.2% for CEAs with genetic anomalies, 26.2% for those with extraocular anomalies, and 13.3% for isolated CEAs.

Conclusions:

  • The study identified a prevalence of 4.1 CEAs per 10,000 births over the 10-year period.
  • The overall prenatal detection rate for CEAs was 23.5%.
  • A notable disparity exists in prenatal detection rates, with isolated CEAs being significantly underdiagnosed prenatally (13.3%).
Abstract