Ocular manifestations of congenital rubella syndrome in a developing country.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To describe the ocular manifestations of congenital rubella syndrome (CRS), a common cause of congenital cataracts in developing countries.

METHODS:

Retrospective analysis of case records of 46 sero-positive infants under 12 months of age who presented at Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai between July 1993 and February 2001. The ocular and systemic examination details were recorded.

RESULTS:

Both eyes were affected in 41 (89%) patients. Cataract was present in 81 (93.1%) eyes; most of them were nuclear cataract (79, 97.5%). Other common ocular presentations included microphthalmos in 74 (85.1%) eyes, iris abnormalities in 51 (58.6%) eyes, and pigmentary retinopathy in 33 (37.9%) eyes. Cataract, microphthalmos and iris hypoplasia was a common combination present in 49 (56.3%) eyes. Systemic manifestations included cardiac anomalies in 23 (50%) and neurological anomalies in 16 (34%) children. Multi-system involvement was present in 32 (70%) children. Low birth weight (below 2 kg) was seen in 30% infants.

CONCLUSION:

CRS may present with a wide spectrum of ocular and systemic findings and requires a high index of suspicion for diagnosis. Any sick infant with unilateral or bilateral congenital cataract should be investigated thoroughly for CRS.

• Authors: P Vijayalakshmi, Gaurav Kakkar, Arun Samprathi, R Banushree
• Journal: Indian journal of ophthalmology (Indian J Ophthalmol) Vol. 50 Issue 4 Pg. 307-11 (Dec 2002) ISSN: 0301-4738 [Print] India
• PMID: 12532496 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Abnormalities, Multiple (etiology)
• Cataract (etiology)
• Developing Countries
• Female
• Humans
• India
• Infant
• Infant, Newborn
• Iris Diseases (etiology)
• Male
• Microphthalmos (etiology)
• Retrospective Studies
• Rubella Syndrome, Congenital (complications)