Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Syndrome in Brazilian Children

Long-Term Outcomes of Pediatric Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Disease

PURPOSE

To study the clinical presentation, outcomes, and factors affecting the final visual outcome of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease in the pediatric age group.

METHODS

Pediatric patients who were diagnosed with VKH at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital (KKESH) between 2007 and 2024. Demographic and clinical data were collected and analyzed for an association with the final visual outcome.

RESULTS

Sixty-nine children (138 eyes) with an age range upon presentation from 2 years old to 18 years old and a mean age of 12.2 ± 4.0 years were included. The mean duration of follow-up was 6.5 ± 3.1 years. There were 35 (50.7%) males and 34 (49.3%) females. Sixty children (86.9%) had initial-onset acute VKH, while 9 children had chronic recurrent VKH. At initial presentation, the mean LogMAR BCVA was 0.6 (Snellen = 20/70) ± 0.6. Children with chronic recurrent VKH presented at an earlier age (p = 0.003), had more severe corneal involvement (p < 0.001) and more severe AC reaction (p < 0.001). Cataract developed in 33 (23.9%) eyes, 54 eyes (39.1%) developed glaucoma, and 36 eyes (26.1%) developed choroidal neovascular membranes (CNVM). Children with chronic recurrent VKH disease had higher rates of pre-existing or developing cataract, glaucoma, and CNVM. On the last visit, the BCVA improved from an average of 20/70 to 20/50. The visual improvement was statistically significant (p = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Good visual outcomes can be achieved in the majority of pediatric patients with VKH disease. Children with chronic recurrent VKH disease present with more aggressive anterior segment inflammation, have higher risk of developing ocular complications, and less favorable visual outcomes.

Clinical Characteristics, Recurrences, and Complications in the Mexican Pediatric Patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Disease

PURPOSE

To analyze the clinical characteristics, number of recurrences, and complications in the Mexican pediatric patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease.

METHODS

A retrospective review of pediatric patients aged 16 years and under, diagnosed with VKH, was conducted from January 1988 to February 2023 at Asociación para Evitar la Ceguera en México I.A.P.

RESULTS

Thirty-one patients (n = 62 eyes), with a diagnosis of VKH were identified, with a mean age of 12.06   ±   3.57 years. Follow-up was 7.22   ±   6.85 years. At initial presentation, the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 1.31   ±   0.94 LogMAR (Snellen 20/400) and final 0.5   ±   0.93 LogMAR (Snellen 20/60) (p = 0.001). The most common clinical findings in the uveitic stage were anterior chamber inflammation (70%) and serous retinal detachment (72%). The treatment approach involved a combination of oral steroids, intravenous steroids, and immunomodulatory agents. Despite the initial visual impairment, most patients achieved disease remission. However, 41.93% of the patients experienced at least one recurrence during follow-up. The most frequent complications were sunset-glow fundus 74.19% (n = 46 eyes), and glaucoma 27.41% (n = 17 eyes).

CONCLUSION

VKH disease in the Mexican pediatric patients has proved to be a challenge in management due to its aggressive course. Timely diagnosis and treatment with steroid therapy associated with a systemic immunomodulatory are essential to reduce recurrences, and complications and thus have a better visual prognosis.

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease in pediatric, adult and elderly: clinical characteristics and visual outcomes

PURPOSE

To depict a whole spectrum of clinical feartures and visual prognosis among pediatric, adult, and elderly Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease (VKH) patients.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review was conducted in 2571 VKH patients diagnosed from April 2008 to January 2022. Based on age of disease onset, patients were divided into pediatric (age ≤ 16 years), adult (16 < age < 65 years), and elderly (age ≥ 65 years) VKH group. Ocular and extraocular manifestations were compared among these patients. Visual outcomes and complications were evaluated using logistic regression models and restricted cubic splines analysis.

RESULTS

The median follow-up time was 48 (IQR, 12-60) months. Pediatric, adult and elderly VKH were found in 106 (4.1%), 2355 (91.6%), and 110 (4.3%) patients, respectively. All of the patients showed similar ocular manifestations in the context of disease phasing. The proportion of neurological and auditory manifestations in pediatric (42.3% and 7.5%) VKH patients was significantly lower than that in adults (66.5% and 47.9%) and elderly (68.2% and 50%) (both p < 0.0001). An increased risk of macular abnormalities was seen in adults (OR, 3.43; 95% CI, 1.62-7.29) compared with elderly VKH. An inverted-U-shaped pattern was observed between disease onset age and a poor visual outcome (visual acuity 6/18 or worse) according to OR value in VKH patients. The highest risk of BCVA ≤ 6/18 was observed in 32 years at disease onset (OR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.18-1.94). A higher risk of visual loss was observed in adult VKH patients (OR, 9.06; 95% CI, 2.18-37.6) compared with elderly VKH patients. And stratified by macular abnormalities, the interaction test was not significant (P = 0.634).

CONCLUSION

Our study identified, for the first time, a whole spectrum of clinical features of VKH based on a large cohort of Chinese patients. Adult VKH patients have an increased risk of poor visual outcomes, possibly due to increased frequency of macular abnormalities.

Long-term Outcomes of Uveitis Associated with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Disease in the Pediatric Age Group

PURPOSE

To investigate the outcomes of uveitis associated with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease in pediatric age group (aged 16 years and under).

METHODS

A retrospective review of patients with VKH disease.

RESULTS

Among the 244 patients identified, 38 (76 eyes) were children. Among them, five had insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. 21 presented with initial-onset acute disease and 17 with chronic recurrent disease. The mean follow-up period was 59.1 months. At presentation, chronic recurrent disease was associated with more severe inflammation as indicated by the presence of mutton-fat keratic precipitates (p < .001), iris nodules (p = .005) and posterior synechiae (p < .001). During follow-up, the rate of complications was higher in children with chronic recurrent disease compared with initial-onset acute disease (p < .001). 92.4% of the eyes with initial-onset acute disease achieved a final visual acuity of ≥20/40 compared with 70.6% of the eyes with chronic recurrent disease (p = .013).

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic recurrent VKH disease in children is associated with worse outcomes.

Vogt Koyanagi Harada Disease In Paediatric Age Group: Clinical Characteristics, Remission, Recurrences and Complications in Asian Indian Population

PURPOSE

To describe disease characteristics and outcomes of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) syndrome in paediatric patients.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective chart analysis.

METHODS: A RETROSPECTIVE

Analysis of all patients ≤16 years with VKH syndrome was done. Clinical presentations, complications, recurrences and outcomes in cases of paediatric VKH were reviewed.

RESULTS

72 eyes of 36 patients with a mean age at presentation of 13.7 ± 2.34 years were assessed. Mean duration of symptoms and follow up were 9.88 ± 17.3 weeks and 55 months respectively. Clinical signs at presentation included anterior chamber cells >2+(34/72eyes, 47.2%), granulomatous keratic precipitates (6 eyes, 8.3%), posterior synechiae (35 eyes,48.6%), disc edema (46 eyes, 63.8%), neurosensory retinal detachments (44 eyes, 61.1%) and 'sunset-glow' fundus (9 eyes, 12.5%). Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at the time of presentation was 1.3logMAR or a Snellens equivalent of 20/400 which improved to 0.51logMAR (Snellens equivalent of 20/63) at last follow up. Remission was achieved in 61.1% cases. More than half of our patients developed one or more complications.

CONCLUSION

VKH in paediatric patients poses a challenge due to a delayed presentation and paediatric VKH patients have a worse visual acuity at the time of presentation as compared to adult age groups. Rates of remission may be low along with high risk of complications and hence there is a need for prolonged immunosuppression.

Acute lymphocytic leukemia with initial manifestation of serous retinal detachment and choroidal thickening: case report and literature review

This report describes a patient who had acute lymphocytic leukemia with exudative retinal detachment (RD), which mimicked Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease (VKH). A 61-year-old woman presented with painless loss of vision in the left eye. Fundus examination revealed RD in her left eye. B-scan ultrasonography confirmed localized RD and choroidal thickening. Fundus fluorescein angiography revealed stippled pinpoint hyperfluorescence in the upper macula. One week later, reduced visual acuity was noted in the right eye. B-scan ultrasonography and optical coherence tomography revealed serous RD in both eyes. A provisional diagnosis of VKH was made. However, subsequent hematologic analysis detected an extremely high leukocyte count. Elevated numbers of leukocytes and tumor cells were found in cerebrospinal fluid. Bone marrow biopsy revealed 77% primary atypical blood cells, 89% of which were immature lymphocytes. The patient was subsequently diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia and transferred to the Department of Hematology. However, the patient and her family refused chemotherapy; she eventually died. Our findings suggest that exudative RD, similar to VKH, could be a sign of leukemia. Pinpoint hyperfluorescence leakage is important for differential diagnosis, particularly with respect to VKH.