Sensitization and Clinical Characteristics of Congolese Children with Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis in Kinshasa

ABSTRACT

Background

Data on the sensitization pattern and clinical characteristics of pediatric vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) are scary in Central Africa. This chronic form of allergic conjunctivitis affects the quality of school life and work productivity. There is no study that shows the breadth of vernal keratoconjunctivitis in our setting.

Purpose

To describe the clinical characteristics of vernal keratoconjunctivitis in Kinshasa, to evaluate the sensitization profile and associated factors.

Methods

A total of 400 children with vernal keratoconjunctivitis underwent a clinical examination and a skin prick test (SPT) for 10 allergens. Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Blomia tropicalis and cockroach were the most common allergens in 52, 1 %, 18, 8% and 13% respectively among sensitized children and 66, 4% showed polysensitization.

Results

The main symptoms were itchy eyes 45%, brownish discoloration conjunctiva 17%, red eyes 12, 2%, eyelids rubbing 11, 5%, tearing 8, 7% and photophobia 5, 5%.The limbic form was predominant with 54%, followed by palpebral form 26% and mixed form 20%. The most common complications were superficial punctate keratitis 17, 2%, shield ulcer 1, 5%, corneal plaque 1, 3% and corneal erosion 1%.

Conclusion

This study outlines that 34, 5% of children attending the outpatient Ophthalmology Department in two hospitals of Kinshasa for vernal keratoconjunctivitis disease had a positive skin prick test to at least one allergen, in particular for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Blomia tropicalis and cockroach.

KEYWORDS:

• Vernal keratoconjunctivitis
• symptoms
• skin prick test
• children
• Kinshasa

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank all parents of children with VKC without whom this study would have been impossible and the administrative staff of the University Hospital of Kinshasa and Masina Ophthalmology Hospital for their collaboration.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Authors’ contributions

Design: Kayembe Lubeji David, Nyembue Tshipukane Dieudonné, Muamba Nkashama Léon.

Data analysis: Muamba Nkashama Léon.

Redaction: Muamba Nkashama Léon, Mwanza Kasongo Jean Claude.

Data collection: Muamba Nkashama Léon, Kadima Mutombo Théodore.