Abstract
BackgroundInfectious keratitis is a sight-threatening condition for children. The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical profile, risk factors and microbiological profile of infectious keratitis in children.MethodsRetrospective review of clinical records of patients under 16 years of age with history of microbial keratitis seen at a tertiary referral center. Clinical characteristics, risk factors, visual and surgical outcomes as well as the microbiological profile are analyzed.ResultsForty-one eyes of 41 patients. Mean age was 8.7 years. Time between the onset of symptoms and ophthalmological examination was 12.7 days. Predisposing factors were found in 78%; ocular trauma was the most common (25%). Visual acuity equal or worse than 20/200 at admission correlated positively with a poorer visual outcome, p=0.002. Positivity of cultures was 34%. Gram-positive bacteria were isolated in 78.5%; Staphylococcus epidermidis (28.6%) was the most common microorganism.ConclusionsOur study emphasizes the importance of a prompt diagnosis and treatment of infectious corneal ulcers in children. Trauma and contact lenses were the main predisposing factors. Gram-positive organisms were isolated in the vast majority of cases and visual outcomes are usually poor.
Highlights
Infectious keratitis is a sight-threatening condition for children
Infectious keratitis is an uncommon event in paediatric patients, amblyopia is of concern, since altered corneal transparency during infancy prevents normal neurophysiological development [2]
Incidence of blindness caused by keratitis in children is 20 times higher in tropical developing countries with poor healthcare when compared to developed countries [4]
Summary
The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical profile, risk factors and microbiological profile of infectious keratitis in children. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 700,000 children annually develop corneal pathology that permanently affects their vision [3]. This fact is significant because the eventual blind-years are greater when compared to adults, and so its incremental cost to healthcare systems. Incidence of blindness caused by keratitis in children is 20 times higher in tropical developing countries with poor healthcare when compared to developed countries [4]. The main predisposing factor for infectious keratitis in children, is reported in 26–58.8% of cases [5]
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