Citation
Wang Bohao, Pang Yilin, Miao Heng, et al. Clinical manifestations and risk factors of congenital cataract in infants[J]. Chin J Exp Ophthalmol, 2025, 43(3):250-255. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn115989-20230206-00038.
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ABSTRACT
Objective To compare the clinical manifestations of congenital cataracts across different age groups and investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors associated with infantile congenital cataracts.
Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted.The medical records of 156 children aged under 6 years diagnosed with congenital cataracts at Peking University People’s Hospital were collected.Participants were divided into two groups, the infantile group (107 cases) and the non-infantile group (49 cases) according to whether the first diagnosis was ≤12 months.Clinical presentations were compared between the two groups.Risk factors for infantile congenital cataracts was analyzed by multivariate logistic regression.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki, and the study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Review Committee of Peking University People’s Hospital (No.2023PHB150-001).
Results The incidence rate of both eyes in the infantile group was 80.37%(86/107), which was significantly higher than 48.98%(24/49) in the non-infantile group ( χ 2=15.931, P<0.001).The proportion of chief complaint of leucocoria in the infantile group was 87.85%(94/107), which was significantly higher than 44.90%(22/49) in the non-infantile group ( χ 2=32.521, P<0.001).There were significant differences in the proportion of gestational age, birth weight, and neonatal oxygen therapy between the two groups ( χ 2=13.300, 8.363, 13.283; all P<0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that preterm birth ( OR=2.901, P=0.026), low birth weight ( OR=3.316, P=0.047), history of oxygen inhalation ( OR=3.040, P=0.012), and a family history of cataracts ( OR=14.224, P=0.013) were the main risk factors for congenital cataracts in infancy.The age of first diagnosis in children diagnosed with congenital cataracts through hospital screening was younger than that through parent observation ( Z=1 416.00, P=0.045).
Conclusions Infantile congenital cataracts predominantly present in both eyes with leukocoria as main manifestation.Preterm birth, low birth weight, neonatal oxygen exposure, and family history of cataracts are risk factors for infantile congenital cataracts.Systematic hospital screening is essential for the early detection of congenital cataracts in infants.