Congenital ocular and its adnexal anomalies among Indian pediatric age groups

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Pediatrics
• Genetics

Background:

• Congenital ocular morbidity in children presents a significant public health challenge.
• Understanding the etiological factors is crucial for effective prevention and management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the congenital causes of eye diseases in children aged 0-12 years.
• To identify risk factors associated with these conditions, including consanguinity and maternal characteristics.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study was conducted over two years (Jan 2021-Dec 2023) at RL Jalappa Hospital and Research Center.
• Data collected included patient demographics, family history, parental consanguinity details, and specific ocular diagnoses from 56 pediatric patients.

Main Results:

• Nasolacrimal duct anomalies (32%) and congenital esotropia (14%) were the most prevalent conditions.
• A high rate of consanguineous marriages (61%) was observed among parents, with a significant proportion involving second or third-degree relatives.
• Bilateral ocular involvement was noted in 55% of the cases.

Conclusions:

• Consanguinity and other genetic factors play a substantial role in congenital eye morbidity in children.
• Maternal age and prenatal factors also contribute to the risk.
• Routine healthcare education, awareness programs, and genetic counseling are essential to mitigate these risks and prevent childhood blindness.