Posters

Infectious keratitis in children: experience of the ophthalmology department of Mohammed VI University Hospital Marrakech

Poster Details

First Author: A.Arfaja MOROCCO

Co Author(s): S. Belghmaidi   B. Madiq   A. Charadi   I. Hajji   A. Moutaouakil        

Abstract Details

Purpose:

The purpose of our work is to assess the difficulties of management of infectious keratitis in children in our context, from diagnosis to therapeutic management.

Setting:

Ophthalmology departement of Mohammed VI University Hospital Marrakech Morocco

Methods:

A retrospective study was carried out on 38 children (38 eyes) aged <18 years, hospitalized at the ophthalmology department of Mohammed VI Medical Center of Marrakech between 2014 and 2017 for confirmed infectious keratitis (identification of a germ in the laboratory) or strongly suspected (favorable evolution under treatment).

Results:

The average age of the children was 3.5 years. The main risk factor was eye trauma (59%). The infection was bacterial in 38% of cases, fungal in 44%.  Corneal sampling was done in 45% of patients. In simple forms, the therapeutic management was based on fortified eye drops for bacterial and fungal infections and antiviral treatment for viral infections. An amniotic membrane graft was performed in 2 children, and 3 others underwent a transfixing keratoplasty for a corneal opacity. After a thorough follow-up of 4 months, the final VA was> 5/10 in 47.5% of cases.

Conclusions:

Infectious keratitis is a serious infection with a visual prognosis, rarely occurring outside of any risk factor. Following a good clinical evaluation, and adapted therapeutic management, infectious keratitis in children can respond favorably, limiting the risk of visual impairment.

Financial Disclosure:

None