Al-Bakri M, Skovgaard AM, Bach-Holm D, Larsen DA, Siersma V, Kessel L. Increased Incidence of Mental Disorders in Children with Cataract: Findings from a Population-based Study.
Am J Ophthalmol 2022;
236:204-211. [PMID:
34648774 DOI:
10.1016/j.ajo.2021.09.034]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE
To examine the incidence of mental disorders in children with cataract compared with children without cataract.
DESIGN
Nationwide cohort study based on entries in comprehensive national databases.
METHODS
The incidence of mental disorders in children born between 2000 and 2017 diagnosed with cataract before 10 years of age (n = 485) was compared with sex- and age-matched controls (n = 4358). Analyses were corrected to somatic disease in the child and parental socioeconomic status and psychiatric morbidity. The study was conducted as 2 university hospitals in Denmark managing children 6 years of age our younger with cataract.
RESULTS
The incidence of mental disorders was nearly doubled in children with cataract compared with controls (odds ratio [OR], 1.83; 95% CI, 1.28-3.63). The risk of anxiety disorders was quadrupled (OR, 4.10; 95% CI, 1.90-8.84) and the risk of developmental delay was doubled (OR, 2.66; 95% CI, 1.45-4.90). The risk of mental disorders was significantly higher in children diagnosed with cataract in the first 3 years of life compared with controls (OR, 2.36; 95% CI, 1.53-3.64), whereas those diagnosed with cataract later in childhood did not have an increased risk (OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 0.66-2.30).
CONCLUSIONS
The risk of mental disorders, in particular anxiety and neurodevelopmental delay, is markedly increased in children with cataract and even more so in those diagnosed within the first 3 years of life. Psychiatric screening instruments may be integrated in the management of these children.
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