A tale of orbital cellulitis and retinopathy of prematurity in an infant: First case report

Abstract

Purpose: Orbital cellulitis is an infectious pathology affecting fat and muscles behind the orbital septum. Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is an abnormal retinal blood vessel proliferation affective preterm low birth weight infants. Here we report the first case report of a 4-month-old infant who presented to our outpatient setting with orbital cellulitis and bilateral ROP sequelae. Case report: A 4-month-old female infant was brought by her mother to the OPD with sudden onset redness, discharge, and swelling in the right eye accompanied by fever for 1 day. The child was born preterm at 8 months gestational age with a birth weight of 1.3 kg. Ocular examination revealed orbital cellulitis. Bruckner’s reflex revealed an altered red glow. Ultrasound B scan confirmed bilateral localized highly reflective peripheral anterior looping membranes suggestive of retinal detachment as sequelae of ROP. The child was treated with topical eyedrops 0.5% Moxifloxacin 2 hourly and was referred to a tertiary hospital for higher management in the form of intravenous injections of Cefixime 50 mg/kg in two divided cases with Vancomycin 60 mg/kg/day in two divided doses for 5 days in a critical care unit (CCU). Conclusion and importance: Orbital cellulitis is an emergency ocular condition that should be promptly treated with a multidisciplinary approach. There is a high probability of missing the posterior segment pathology in such cases. Meticulous history taking, detailed ocular examination along with Bruckner’s reflex help in immediately clinching the correct diagnosis in such cases and safeguards the clinician from any medicolegal issues in the future.