Ophthalmic Diseases in Meningitis Within the Pediatric Population

OBJECTIVE

Meningitis may lead to ophthalmic complications in pediatric populations. The visual aftermath in developed countries has been poorly studied. This study aims to highlight the potential ocular and neuro-ophthalmic sequela of meningitis in the pediatric population of a tertiary pediatric hospital.

DESIGN

A retrospective chart review of all pediatric patients, between 2006 and 2015, diagnosed with meningitis at the Montreal Children's Hospital was conducted. Study approval was obtained by the Institutional Review Board of the McGill University Health Centre and adhered to the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki.

METHODS

Records of all pediatric meningitis patients were extracted and further refined by isolating all who received an ophthalmology consultation. Relevant demographic data, general medical information, ocular findings, and imaging results were extracted. The proportion of ocular abnormalities was calculated and analyzed.

RESULTS

Seventy-two of 861 meningitis patients (8.4%) received an ophthalmology consultation. Forty-six patients met the inclusion criteria, and 31 of those (67.4%) demonstrated ocular abnormalities. Children presented most frequently with abnormalities involving visual acuity (8 of 32), extraocular movements and alignment (14 of 28), optic nerve (10 of 41), pupillary reactivity (4 of 35), and periorbital/orbital cellulitis (4 of 46). Older patients were more likely to have ophthalmologic findings.

CONCLUSION

This chart review highlights the ocular abnormalities found in children who suffer from meningitis and present to a tertiary-care centre in a high sociodemographic index country. Complications may be lasting. Treating ophthalmologists should be cognizant of potential ocular abnormalities among meningitis patients. We advocate for increased awareness of this association among health care providers.

The Multidisciplinary Guidelines for Diagnosis and Referral in Cerebral Visual Impairment

Introduction

Cerebral visual impairment (CVI) is an important cause of visual impairment in western countries. Perinatal hypoxic-ischemic damage is the most frequent cause of CVI but CVI can also be the result of a genetic disorder. The majority of children with CVI have cerebral palsy and/or developmental delay. Early diagnosis is crucial; however, there is a need for consensus on evidence based diagnostic tools and referral criteria. The aim of this study is to develop guidelines for diagnosis and referral in CVI according to the grade method.

Patients and Methods

We developed the guidelines according to the GRADE method 5 searches on CVI (children, developmental age ≤ 18 years) were performed in the databases Medline, Embase, and Psychinfo, each with a distinct topic.

Results

Based on evidence articles were selected on five topics: 1. Medical history and CVI-questionnaires 23 (out of 1,007). 2. Ophthalmological and orthoptic assessment 37 (out of 816). 3. Neuropsychological assessment 5 (out of 716). 4. Neuroradiological evaluation and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 9 (out of 723). 5. Genetic assessment 5 (out of 458).

Conclusion

In medical history taking, prematurity low birth weight and APGAR (Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, Respiration) Scores (<5) are important. Different questionnaires are advised for children under the age of 3 years, older children and for specific risk groups (extremely preterm). In ophthalmological examination, eye movements, specially saccades, accommodation, crowding, contrast sensitivity and visual fields should be evaluated. OCT can show objective signs of trans-synaptic degeneration and abnormalities in fixation and saccades can be measured with eye tracking. Screening of visual perceptive functioning is recommended and can be directive for further assessment. MRI findings in CVI in Cerebral Palsy can be structured in five groups: Brain maldevelopment, white and gray matter lesions, postnatal lesions and a normal MRI. In children with CVI and periventricular leukomalacia, brain lesion severity correlates with visual function impairment. A differentiation can be made between cortical and subcortical damage and related visual function impairment. Additional assessments (neurological or genetic) can be necessary to complete the diagnosis of CVI and/or to reveal the etiology.