Congenital cataract associated with COVID-19 infection

Abstract

AIM: To describe cases of COVID-19-induced congenital pathology of the lens and eye in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine children (9 eyes) aged 3–6 months with congenital cataract (СC), whose mothers had COVID-19 during pregnancy, were examined. RESULTS: All children had unilateral CC, with heterogeneous turbidity. Changes in the shape, volume, and structure of the capsule sac were often combined with microphthalmia (66.7%) and primary persistent vitreous body syndrome (PPGST) (88.9%). CONCLUSION: The results revealed the possibility of the unilateral development congenital pathology of the lens with the presence of concomitant pathology: microphthalmos, PPGST syndrome in children born to mothers who had SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy. Given the risk of transplacental transmission of the coronavirus from a pregnant woman to a fetus with СC development, these children need a more detailed examination in the first month of life for timely detection of pathology and provision of treatment. Surgical treatment of this pathology often requires a nonstandard individual approach to each stage of the operation and management of the postoperative period.