Relation between mode of delivery and related factors with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the possible relation between the mode of delivery and associated factors with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO).

This case-control study was conducted on children between 6 months and 5 years with CNLDO and healthy controls. A binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify the associated factors with CNLDO and a backward elimination technique was applied for modeling.

From 324 enrolled subjects, 160 were as a case (CNLDO group) and 164 were healthy control (non-CNLDO group). A positive family history of CNLDO was present in 21 (13.1%) patients with CNLDO and 3 (1.81%) controls (P < 0.001). Cesarean section was 62.9% and 64.0% in the CNLDO and controls groups, respectively (P = 0.83). Using logistic regression models, children with a positive family history were 10.12 times more likely to have CNLDO than the control group (odds ratio [OR] = 10.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.838-36.069). In addition, birth weight ≤2500 g (OR = 2.39, 95% CI: (1.123-5.087)) and maternal age ≤27 years at the time of delivery (OR = 2.35, 95% CI: (1.462-3.778)) were associated with upper odds for CNLDO.

There is an increase in the risk of CNLDO with a positive family history, birth weight < 2500 g, and maternal age of <27 years. However, further research is warranted to evaluate the causal relationship of these risk factors. Notably, there is no significant relationship between the mode of delivery and developing CNLDO.