Retinal vasculitis in children : Which diagnoses ?

Abstract

Background: Retinal vasculitis is an inflammation of the retinal blood vessel. This condition may be caused by a systemic inflammatory disease or infectious etiology. Herein, we aimed to describe the epidemiological, clinical, etiological and therapeutic features of retinal vasculitis in children. Methods: This was a retrospective study including 14 children (19 eyes) diagnosed with retinal vasculitis. Results: The average age of the patients was 10.8 years, the gender ratio was 2.25. The retinal vasculitis was bilateral in 5 patients. Uveitis was associated in 13 eyes (76.5% of cases). The infectious causes were found in 57%. The aetiologies were: toxoplasmosis, toxocarosis, Voght Koyanagy Harada syndrome, lupus and Behçet's disease. The outcome was favourable in 13 patients. Conclusion: Retinal vasculitis in children is rare, but it remains serious. A through etiological investigation must be conducted.