The Profi Le and the Treatment Outcomes of Pediatric\rmicrobial Keratitis in a Tertiary Referral Center

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the predisposing factors, clinical and microbiologic features, and treatment results of pediatric microbial keratitis.\rMaterials and Methods: The medical records of 34 eyes with bacterial keratitis in 34 children were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic\rfeatures, predisposing factors, clinical features of the infi ltration, bacteriologic culture results, and treatment outcomes were analyzed.\rResults: The male to female ratio was 1.8:1. The mean age at presentation was 7.3±5.5 years (0.5-16 years). The most common detectable\rpredisposing factor was trauma (38.2%). Four (25%) of 16 cases in which corneal swaps were obtained for pathogen analyses, were culture\rpositive. Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was observed in three cases, and Bacillus Cereus was found in one case. The fi nal mean bestcorrected\rvisual acuity (BCVA) was increased signifi cantly compared to the initial BCVA (Z=-2.9, p=0.004). The risk factors leading to poor\rvisual outcomes were initial poor BCVA, deep stromal infi ltration, and hypopyon existence at presentation (R=-0.60 and p=0.01, R=-0.55 and\rp=0.02, R=0.80 and p<0.001, respectively).\rConclusion: The most common identifi able risk factor for childhood microbial keratitis was corneal trauma. The most common bacteria\risolated were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus. Initial poor BCVA, deep stromal infi ltration, and hypopyon existence at presentation were\rpredictive for poor visual outcome. Early diagnosis, and intensive drug therapy, may effectively improve the prognosis of pediatric microbial\rkeratitis.