Conjunctivitis in children
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:
Synonyms and keywords: Conjunctivitis in kids
Overview
Conjunctivitis is characterized by inflammation and swelling of the conjunctival tissue which can be associated with engorgement of the blood vessels, ocular discharge, and pain. Neonatal conjunctivitis is a red eye in a newborn caused by infection, irritation, or a blocked tear duct. When caused by an infection, neonatal conjunctivitis can be very serious.
Historical Perspective
- [Disease name] was first discovered by [scientist name], a [nationality + occupation], in [year] during/following [event].
- In [year], [gene] mutations were first identified in the pathogenesis of [disease name].
- In [year], the first [discovery] was developed by [scientist] to treat/diagnose [disease name].
Classification
Conjunctivitis can be classified into subtypes:[1]
- Bacterial conjunctivitis
- Viral conjunctivitis
- Allergic conjunctivitis
- Chemical conjunctivitis
- Immune mediated conjunctivitis
Pathophysiology
- The surface tissues of the eye and the ocular adnexa are colonized by normal flora such as streptococci, staphylococci and corynebacteria. Alterations in the bacterial titer, or in the species of bacteria can lead to clinical infection. Alteration in the flora can also result from external contamination, the use of topical or systemic antibiotics, or spread from adjacent infectious sites.
- Disruption of defense barriers can lead to infection. The primary defense against infection is the epithelial layer covering the conjunctiva. Secondary defense include hematologic immune mechanisms carried by the conjunctival vessels, tear film immunoglobulins and lysozyme and the rinsing action of lacrimation and blinking.[2]
Causes
- Conjunctivitis in children[3][4]
Differentiating [disease name] from other Diseases
For further information about the differential diagnosis, click here.
Epidemiology and Demographics
- Bacterial conjunctivitis predominantly occurs in children <6 years of age. Recent studies have confirmed that haemophilus influenzae and streptococcus pneumoniae are the two organisms most commonly responsible for bacterial conjunctivitis in children.
- Viral conjunctivitis occurs most often in the fall and winter and usually affects children older than 6 years.
- Boys and girls are affected in similar proportions.[3]
Risk Factors
- Common risk factors in the development of [disease name] are [risk factor 1], [risk factor 2], [risk factor 3], and [risk factor 4].
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
- The majority of patients with [disease name] remain asymptomatic for [duration/years].
- Early clinical features include [manifestation 1], [manifestation 2], and [manifestation 3].
- If left untreated, [#%] of patients with [disease name] may progress to develop [manifestation 1], [manifestation 2], and [manifestation 3].
- Common complications of [disease name] include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].
- Prognosis is generally [excellent/good/poor], and the [1/5/10year mortality/survival rate] of patients with [disease name] is approximately [#%].
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Criteria
- The diagnosis of [disease name] is made when at least [number] of the following [number] diagnostic criteria are met:
- [criterion 1]
- [criterion 2]
- [criterion 3]
- [criterion 4]
Symptoms
- [Disease name] is usually asymptomatic.
- Symptoms of [disease name] may include the following:
- [symptom 1]
- [symptom 2]
- [symptom 3]
- [symptom 4]
- [symptom 5]
- [symptom 6]
Physical Examination
- Patients with [disease name] usually appear [general appearance].
- Physical examination may be remarkable for:
- [finding 1]
- [finding 2]
- [finding 3]
- [finding 4]
- [finding 5]
- [finding 6]
Laboratory Findings
- There are no specific laboratory findings associated with [disease name].
- A [positive/negative] [test name] is diagnostic of [disease name].
- An [elevated/reduced] concentration of [serum/blood/urinary/CSF/other] [lab test] is diagnostic of [disease name].
- Other laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of [disease name] include [abnormal test 1], [abnormal test 2], and [abnormal test 3].
Electrocardiogram
There are no ECG findings associated with [disease name].
OR
An ECG may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on an ECG suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
X-ray
There are no x-ray findings associated with [disease name].
OR
An x-ray may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on an x-ray suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
OR
There are no x-ray findings associated with [disease name]. However, an x-ray may be helpful in the diagnosis of complications of [disease name], which include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].
Echocardiography or Ultrasound
There are no echocardiography/ultrasound findings associated with [disease name].
OR
Echocardiography/ultrasound may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on an echocardiography/ultrasound suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
OR
There are no echocardiography/ultrasound findings associated with [disease name]. However, an echocardiography/ultrasound may be helpful in the diagnosis of complications of [disease name], which include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].
CT scan
There are no CT scan findings associated with [disease name].
OR
[Location] CT scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on CT scan suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
OR
There are no CT scan findings associated with [disease name]. However, a CT scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of complications of [disease name], which include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].
MRI
There are no MRI findings associated with [disease name].
OR
[Location] MRI may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on MRI suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
OR
There are no MRI findings associated with [disease name]. However, a MRI may be helpful in the diagnosis of complications of [disease name], which include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].
Other Imaging Findings
There are no other imaging findings associated with [disease name].
OR
[Imaging modality] may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on an [imaging modality] suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
Other Diagnostic Studies
- [Disease name] may also be diagnosed using [diagnostic study name].
- Findings on [diagnostic study name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
Treatment
Medical Therapy
- There is no treatment for [disease name]; the mainstay of therapy is supportive care.
- The mainstay of therapy for [disease name] is [medical therapy 1] and [medical therapy 2].
- [Medical therapy 1] acts by [mechanism of action 1].
- Response to [medical therapy 1] can be monitored with [test/physical finding/imaging] every [frequency/duration].
Surgery
- Surgery is the mainstay of therapy for [disease name].
- [Surgical procedure] in conjunction with [chemotherapy/radiation] is the most common approach to the treatment of [disease name].
- [Surgical procedure] can only be performed for patients with [disease stage] [disease name].
Prevention
- There are no primary preventive measures available for [disease name].
- Effective measures for the primary prevention of [disease name] include [measure1], [measure2], and [measure3].
- Once diagnosed and successfully treated, patients with [disease name] are followed-up every [duration]. Follow-up testing includes [test 1], [test 2], and [test 3].
References
- ↑ Gigliotti F, Williams WT, Hayden FG, Hendley JO, Benjamin J, Dickens M; et al. (1981). "Etiology of acute conjunctivitis in children". J Pediatr. 98 (4): 531–6. doi:10.1016/s0022-3476(81)80754-8. PMID 6970802.
- ↑ Azari AA, Arabi A (2020). "Conjunctivitis: A Systematic Review". J Ophthalmic Vis Res. 15 (3): 372–395. doi:10.18502/jovr.v15i3.7456. PMC 7431717 Check
|pmc=value (help). PMID 32864068 Check|pmid=value (help). - ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Weiss A (1994). "Acute conjunctivitis in childhood". Curr Probl Pediatr. 24 (1): 4–11. doi:10.1016/0045-9380(94)90022-1. PMID 8174390.
- ↑ Bodor FF, Marchant CD, Shurin PA, Barenkamp SJ (1985). "Bacterial etiology of conjunctivitis-otitis media syndrome". Pediatrics. 76 (1): 26–8. PMID 3874389.