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[Ocular herpes simplex in children (author's transl)]
Insights
Ocular herpes simplex in children frequently recurs, leading to significant vision loss. All children experienced recurrences within 2 years, with many facing poor visual acuity long-term.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Virology
- Pediatrics
Context:
- Ocular herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is a significant concern in pediatric populations.
- Recurrent ocular HSV infections can lead to chronic visual impairment.
Purpose:
- To report on the long-term outcomes of ocular herpes simplex infections in a cohort of 38 children.
- To analyze recurrence rates and visual acuity following initial ocular HSV diagnosis.
Summary:
- The study followed 38 children with ocular HSV for 1-10 years, with primary infections occurring between ages 2-6.
- Recurrences increased with follow-up duration; 50% recurred within 2 years, and 100% recurred after 2 years.
- Idoxuridine treatment failed in 11 cases of superficial keratitis. After 5 years, 75% had visual acuity of 5/10 or less.
Impact:
- Ocular herpes simplex is a leading cause of vision loss and disability in children.
- Findings highlight the chronic and progressive nature of pediatric ocular HSV, underscoring the need for effective management strategies.
- The high rate of visual impairment emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and intervention to preserve vision in affected children.
Abstract:
A series of 38 children with ocular herpes simplex infection is reported. The follow-up periods ranged between 1 and 10 years after the first ocular herpetic involvement. The primary ocular infection occurred in most cases between 2 and 6 years of age, with a similar rate in males and females. The number of recurrences increased with the duration of the follow-up period: during the first 2 years, recurrences developed in 50% of cases and after 2 years, all the children had new herpetic ocular attacks. Idoxuridine treatment failures were found in 11 cases of herpetic superficial keratitis. Ocular herpes simplex in children is a major cause of visual loss and disability. After a follow-up period of 5 years, 75% of patients with herpetic keratitis had a visual acuity of 5/10 or less.