[Uveitis of children: a report of 18 cases].

UNLABELLED: Childhood uveitis is a rare but serious disease that may causes visual loss. Causes are various and an underlying disease is not always found.

PURPOSE: To analyse clinical features and prognosis of uveitis in children.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

A retrospective, descriptive study of cases observed in a general pediatric unit over a period of 15 years (1990-2005) at Tunis.

RESULTS

We gathered 18 cases of uveitis (girls 55.6% ,boys 44.4%). Mean age at the diagnosis was 8+/-3 years. Diagnosis was made after a decreased of visual acuity in 55.6% of cases. Localization of uveitis was anterior (6 cases), intermediate (1 case), posterior (3 cases) and total (8 cases). An underlying disease was found in only 5 patients: Behçet's disease (3 patients), juvenile chronic arthritis (1 patient), possible dermatopolymyositis (1 patient). The evolution was favorable in 10 cases with local treatment, systemic corticotherapy and/or immunosuppressive agents. Complications occurred in 3 cases.

CONCLUSION

Causes of uveitis in childhood remains most often undiagnosed Our study illustrates the pending risk of severe visual impairment and strict ophtalmology follow-up is mandatory.