Ophthalmological sequelae following post-haemorrhagic hydrocephalus

Abstract

In the IVH group, ophthalmic problems were seen in 21 children (80.8%). Strabismus was seen in 17 children (65.4%), optic atrophy in ten children (38.5%), refractive errors in ten children (38.5%), severe visual impairment in seven children (26.9%), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in nine eyes of five children (19.2%), optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH) in four children (15.4%) and nystagmus in four children (15.4%).

In the non-IVH group ophthalmic problems were encountered in 19 patients (86.4%). Strabismus was seen in 15 children (68.2%), optic atrophy in only one child (4.5%), refractive errors in 12 children (54.5%), severe visual impairment in five children (22.7%), nystagmus in two children (9.1%) and ONH in four children (18.2%).

This study demonstrates that in spite of similar overall prevalence of ophthalmological complications in the two groups (p = 0.71, Fisher exact, 2-tailed value), there is a significantly higher incidence of optic atrophy in the IVH group (p = 0.01, Yates corrected Chi-square test).

Twenty-six children with hydrocephalus secondary to intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH), grade III and IV, were studied and compared to 22 children with hydrocephalus from other causes (non-IVH).

Key Words:

• Hydrocephalus
• handicap
• intraventricular haemorrhage
• ocular findings
• optic atrophy