High Load of Demodex in Young Children With Chalazia.

PURPOSE: To investigate the correlation between demodicosis and pediatric chalazia.

METHODS

A case-control prospective study was conducted at Children's Hospital of Fudan University between December 2018 and January 2019. One hundred one consecutive pediatric patients with chalazia and 42 pediatric patients without chalazia underwent eyelash sampling and Demodex examination using light microscopy, and mite presence and count were documented.

RESULTS

The Demodex count and prevalence of the chalazia group was much higher than that of the control group (3.06 ± 3.48 vs 0.64 ± 1.17; P ≤ .001; 73.3% vs 35.7%, P ≤ .001). The Demodex count and prevalence of the multiple chalazia subgroup was much higher than that of the single chalazion subgroup (3.49 ± 3.72 vs 2.00 ± 2.52; P = .043; 79.2% vs 58.6%, P = .035). The Demodex count and prevalence of the chalazia with skin erosion subgroup was much higher than that of the without skin erosion subgroup (3.54 ± 3.14 vs 2.55 ± 3.76; P = .012; 82.7% vs 63.3%, P = .027). After adjustment for age and gender, Demodex count (odds ratio: 1.873; 95% confidence interval: 1.155 to 3.040; P = .011) but not presence (P = .643) was significantly correlated with chalazia.

CONCLUSIONS

Demodex mites were more prevalent and quantitative in children with chalazia, and children with severe chalazia had higher Demodex prevalence and quantity. High Demodex count rather than presence of it was associated with chalazia. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2023;60(5):365-371.].