Ophthalmological pathologies in infants under 6 months of age in a pediatric ophthalmology service at a referral hospital

Introduction: Ophthalmological conditions in children under 6 months can cause visual disturbances and even total blindness. Objectives: To describe the frequency and types of ophthalmological pathologies in infants under 6 months of age in a pediatric ophthalmology service at a children's hospital. Materials and Methods: this was an observational, descriptive and retrospective study. The database of the ophthalmopediatric service was reviewed. By sampling consecutive cases, infants aged & LE;6 months, who consulted from March to September 2022 and whose records included the telephone number were included. Variables: age, sex, chief complaint, perinatal history and ophthalmological pathologies, result of ophthalmological examination and treatment. Data were analyzed in SPSS with descriptive statistics. The ethics committee approved the protocol and parental consent was obtained. Results: 137 infants, aged 2.9 & PLUSMN; 1.8 months, birth weight 2995 & PLUSMN; 621, gestational age 38 & PLUSMN; 2.1 weeks, of which 53% were male were selected for this study. 31% presented for a routine followup, 83% had a history of ocular pathology. 32% (44/137) presented ocular pathology, 59% (26/44) congenital and 41% (18/44) acquired. 18% (8/44) of the ocular alterations received surgical treatment. Conclusions: 32% of the infants seen in the ophthalmopediatric service presented ocular pathologies, of which 59% were congenital, the two most frequent being congenital cataracts and nasolacrimal duct obstrction.