Epidemiological aspects of paediatric cataracts in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Abstract

Objective: To assess epidemiological aspects of paediatric cataracts among children who attended a secondary Eye clinic in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Eye Department in Kinshasa. One hundred and seventeen children with bilateral cataracts aged from 0.5 to 16 years and their mothers were recruited in the study. Children with unilateral and traumatic cataracts were not included in the study. Data were collected during the period from February 2021 to March 2021. A pre-tested questionnaire was administrated to mothers to evaluate sociodemographics, the history of pregnancy, and a perinatal history of the child. The blood samples for both children and their mothers were collected for antibodies titration. At the same time, the following parameters, namely: age at surgery, type of cataract, associated ocular and systemic lesions. Rubella and toxoplasmosis IgG results were recorded.

Results: The mean age was 7.37±4.28 years (min: 0.5 years, max:16 years). Cataract was congenital and infantile in 58.1% and 41.9% of children respectively. Aetiology of cataract was found idiopathic in 74 children, infectious in 16 children and genetic in 16 children . Then it was isolated in 50.4% and associated to one ocular abnormality in 34.2% of children. Rubella IgG antibody was positive in 26.5% of children.

Conclusion: Paediatric cataract was the mostly congenital, idiopathic and isolated. Rubella infection was present in almost a quarter of children with cataract. Rubella vaccination can be used to reduce the burden of childhood cataract in Kinshasa.