Educational and Social Outcomes in Optic Nerve Hypoplasia and Septo-Optic-Pituitary Dysplasia

To describe educational and social outcomes in optic nerve hypoplasia/septo-optic-pituitary dysplasia (ONH/SOD) in Manitoba, Canada.

A population-based case-control study used administrative health, education, and social data from the Manitoba Population Research Data Repository. A total of 124 ONH/SOD patients diagnosed during 1990-2019 were matched to 620 unrelated population-based controls on area of residence, birth year, and sex. Multivariable logistic regression tested for differences between cases and controls on selected educational and social outcomes. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated.

Cases had higher odds than controls for requiring specialized educational funding (OR: 13.12, 95% CI: 7.06-24.40). Vulnerability in any five domains of Early Development Instrument, a measure of school readiness, showed higher odds in cases (OR: 2.58, 95% CI: 1.09-6.10). In addition, cases had higher odds of contact with Child and Family Services (OR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.22-2.69), and being taken into care at any time after birth (OR: 2.10, 95% CI: 1.32-3.35).

Cases with ONH/SOD had a need for greater resources and more adverse educational and social outcomes. It is recommended for social and educational service providers to work together with health care providers to ensure appropriate supports are in place for cases with ONH/SOD.