Ophthalmia neonatorum as the presenting sign of SARS-CoV-2

Ocular manifestations of COVID-19 in pediatric patients

The coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) infection may remain asymptomatic or may have several different presentations. Although this disease primarily affects the respiratory system, systemic manifestations affecting the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neurological, otorhinolaryngologic, and ophthalmic systems have been reported. Ophthalmic signs may be the first and only sign of COVID-19 infection in children. In the current narrative review, we report the ophthalmic manifestations of COVID-19 in the pediatric age cohort. We performed a comprehensive literature search for the publications on ophthalmic manifestations of COVID-19 in children between 1 March 2020 and 1 January 2022 and compiled the ophthalmic manifestations of this entity among the pediatric population. Conjunctivitis is the most common ophthalmic manifestation in children and can develop at any stage of the disease. Ophthalmic manifestations are seen more commonly in children with severe systemic disease. Long-term and indirect consequence of the COVID-19 disease is the rise of myopia among children. Ophthalmic signs may be the first and only sign of COVID-19 infection in children. Pediatricians, as well as ophthalmologists, must keep observing all children with COVID-19 closely for ophthalmic signs.

Neonatal Conjunctivitis

Neonatal conjunctivitis is an important cause of ocular morbidity with infectious and noninfectious origins. Common practice in the United States is to administer prophylactic antibiotic ointment at birth; however, prophylaxis is ineffective for some causes. Moreover, recognition of the etiologies that threaten systemic complications to the neonate is critical in providing timely and appropriate treatment. This review summarizes the clinical features, etiology, and treatment recommendations of various forms of neonatal conjunctivitis.

Ocular manifestations of COVID-19 in the pediatric age group

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is now known to be associated with several ocular manifestations. The literature thoroughly discussed those that affect adults, with a lesser focus in the pediatric age group. We aim to outline the various pediatric ocular manifestations described in the literature. The manifestations may be divided into isolated events attributed to COVID-19 or occurring in the new multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a novel entity associated by COVID-19 infection. Ocular manifestations have virtually affected all ages. They manifested in neonates, infants, children, and adolescents. Episcleritis, conjunctivitis, optic neuritis, cranial nerve palsies, retinal vein occlusion, retinal vasculitis, retinal changes, orbital myositis, orbital cellulitis were reported in the literature with this emerging viral illness. Conjunctivitis was the most common ocular manifestation in MIS-C in nearly half of the patients. Other ocular manifestations in MIS-C were anterior uveitis, corneal epitheliopathy, optic neuritis, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, and retinitis. The clinical outcome was favorable, and children regain their visual ability with minimal or no deficits in most of the cases. Further follow-up may be warranted to better understand the long-term effects and visual prognosis.