PloS one
Age-related differences in the clinical and microbiological profile of pediatric microbial keratitis in Eastern India
By Kusumesh R, Panday N, Arya LK and 6 others.
Abstract
Purpose
To evaluate the demographics, predisposing factors, microbiological profile, management, and outcomes of pediatric microbial keratitis in Eastern India, with particular emphasis on age-related differences.
Materials and methods
This prospective study included children with clinically diagnosed microbial keratitis between April 2024 and September 2025. Clinical, microbiological, nutritional, treatment, and outcome data were recorded. Children were categorized into two age groups: ≤ 5 years and >5 years for comparative analysis.
Results
Ninety-nine eyes of 86 children were analyzed. The mean age was 5.9 ± 4.8 years, and 42 of 86 children were aged ≤5 years. Bilateral keratitis was observed exclusively in children ≤5 years (p < 0.05). Systemic risk factors such as undernutrition and vitamin A deficiency, diarrhea, and fever were significantly more common in children ≤5 years; in contrast, corneal injury was the predominant risk factor in children >5 years. Mean duration of presentation, ulcer size, and ulcer severity did not differ significantly between the two age groups, although perforation at presentation was more frequent in children >5 years. Fungal keratitis was significantly more common in children >5 years, whereas unidentified cases were more frequent in ≤5 years. Corneal ulcers resolved with medical therapy alone in 59.6% of eyes. Surgery was required in 40.4% of eyes overall, including 18.2% of eyes in children ≤5 years and 22.2% in children >5 years. At 3 months, corneal opacity was the most common outcome.