PREVALENCE OF CONGENITAL CATARACT IN CHILDREN WITH A FAMILY HISTORY OF HEREDITARY EYE DISEASES

Abstract

Purpose – to study the prevalence of congenital cataract in children with a family history of hereditary eye diseases.

Material and methods
This study utilized data from the children’s database and statistical reports of the Medical Expert Commission at the National Ophthalmology Centre named after Academician Zarifa Aliyeva, covering the years 2019–2023. Patients were analyzed in two primary groups based on family history: Group A – children born from consanguineous marriages (n=409), and Group B – children born from non-consanguineous marriages (n=151). Each group was further subdivided into three age categories (0–5, 6–10, and 11–15 years). Children diagnosed with congenital cataract were evaluated according to family history, gender, age distribution, and regional differences. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 26. Comprehensive ophthalmological examination methods were employed to assess ocular status. Diagnoses were classified according to ICD-10 codes for ocular pathologies.

Results
Among 560 children with hereditary ocular diseases, congenital lens pathology was identified in 112 cases (20%). Of these, 68 patients (60.7%) had a family history of consanguineous marriage. Clinical manifestations of congenital cataract were most frequently observed in the ≤5-year age group. Bilateral congenital cataract was the most common form among children born from consanguineous marriages. In both groups, the prevalence was higher among male children.

Conclusion
Congenital lens pathology was the second most common hereditary ocular disorder (32.8%) in children born from consanguineous marriages. These findings highlight the importance of modern diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to preventable and treatable causes of childhood blindness.