Clinical features of childhood uveitis at a tertiary referral center in Southern Turkey


Esen E., Sızmaz S., Balci S., Kışla Ekinci R. M., Demircan N.

INTERNATIONAL OPHTHALMOLOGY, vol.41, no.6, pp.2073-2081, 2021 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 41 Issue: 6
  • Publication Date: 2021
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s10792-021-01764-7
  • Journal Name: INTERNATIONAL OPHTHALMOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, EMBASE, MEDLINE
  • Page Numbers: pp.2073-2081
  • Keywords: Children, Pediatric uveitis, Etiology, Management, Complications, Outcomes, PEDIATRIC UVEITIS, INTERMEDIATE UVEITIS, EPIDEMIOLOGY, PATTERN, ONSET
  • Çukurova University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Purpose To report the epidemiology, etiology, ocular characteristics, management, and visual outcomes of pediatric uveitis patients in Southern Turkey. Methods The clinical records of pediatric patients with a diagnosis of uveitis under the age of 16 years and followed up longer than 6 months were analyzed retrospectively. Results The study included 102 patients and 173 affected eyes. The mean age at presentation was 11.4 +/- 3.7 years. Uveitis was predominantly bilateral (69.6%), anterior (45.1%), and chronic (58.8%). The leading diagnoses were idiopathic uveitis (38.2%), pars planitis (19.6%), and juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis (14.7%). Infectious uveitis accounted for 12.7%, and toxoplasmosis was the most common cause (10.8%). At least one complication was observed in 76.3% of the eyes, and optic disk edema (37%) was the most frequent. Corticosteroids were used in 97.1% and systemic immunomodulatory agents in 49% of the patients. Ocular surgery was performed in 17.3% of the eyes, and cataract extraction was the most common (8.7%). The mean BCVA was 0.39 +/- 0.66 LogMAR at baseline and 0.25 +/- 0.53 LogMAR at the last recorded visit. Conclusion Pediatric uveitis is a challenging disease that requires meticulous management. Anterior uveitis is the most frequent form. Despite a changing trend for an increase in diagnostic variety, idiopathic cases still constitute the majority. A significant number of patients receive systemic therapy, develop complications, and require surgical intervention. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment might improve visual outcomes and reduce the risk of visual loss.