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  5. FP0721 : TORCH: An insight into preventing pediatric cataracts

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Chief & Presenting Author: Dr.Aditya Rajan

Co Author(s): Dr.Amit Raj, Dr.Sitesh Vats, Dr.Naila Aftab

Abstract

Design: Hospital-based cross-sectional study
Purpose: To estimate the proportion of various TORCH infections associated with childhood cataracts presenting to a tertiary care center in Eastern India.
Methods: All cases of childhood cataracts were tested for IgG and IgM against Toxoplasma, CMV, Rubella and IgM antibodies against HSV 1 and 2 excluding those with traumatic and secondary cataracts.
Results: 16 out of 18 patients tested positive for antibodies against TORCH pathogens. The positivity rates for different pathogens were as follows: IgG CMV in 14 (77.78%), IgM CMV in 1(5.55%), IgG Rubella in 7(38.89%), IgM Rubella in 1(5.55%), IgG Toxoplasma in 2(11.11%).
Conclusion: A high rate of positivity of IgG antibodies against CMV indicates high rate of previous infection in patients with childhood cataracts. Further studies are needed to assess their causative role and preventive measures need to be taken accordingly to prevent high number of childhood cataracts.