Epidemiology of Pediatric Uveitis in Argentina.

PURPOSE: To explore the geographic variability of the epidemiology of pediatric uveitis, which, although rare in children, carries a significant risk of morbidity. METHODS: This was a retrospective review conducted at two tertiary referral centers in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Demographic and clinical data of patients younger than 16 years diagnosed as having uveitis between January 1, 2006 and October 1, 2014 were collected. RESULTS: A total of 257 patients (380 eyes) were included in the study. Cases tended to be unilateral (134, 52.1%), granulomatous (146, 56.8%), and localized to the posterior segment (121, 47.1%). Toxoplasmosis was the most common etiology (98, 38.1%). DISCUSSION: The spectrum of pediatric uveitis in Buenos Aires most closely resembles that of Colombia. Understanding these geographic variations is important to aid providers who are caring for children in an increasingly globalized world. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 20XX;X(X):XX-XX.].

Adalimumab Treatment in Patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Disease.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical outcome and safety of adalimumab in patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease. METHODS: VKH patients treated with adalimumab seen at the University of Buenos Aires were reviewed. Main outcome measures were visual acuity, anterior segment inflammation, optic nerve inflammation (ONI), steroid sparing effect, number of immunosuppressives, and relapses. RESULTS: In total, 14 VKH patients, mean age 23.07 ± 8 years; median of adalimumab treatment 10 months, were analyzed. At start of adalimumab treatment (baseline), median of corticosteroid dose was 20 mg and at 6 months, 4 mg. At baseline, 11 patients were on immunosuppressive treatment and at 6 months only four continued with immunosuppressive therapy. In the 28 eyes, the median of active inflammation was 2 at baseline and 0 after 6 months on adalimumab. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with adalimumab is an effective and safe option, reducing the need for oral corticosteroid and conventional immunosuppressive therapy.

Chronic Anterior Uveitis in Children.

PURPOSE: To describe the visual prognosis and remission rate of chronic anterior uveitis in pediatric patients. METHODS: A retrospective case series of children with chronic anterior uveitis treated in the University of Buenos Aires. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis was defined according to the International League of Associations for Rheumatology criteria. Uveitis remission was defined according to SUN criteria. RESULTS: There were 35 pediatric patients (61 eyes), mean age of uveitis onset was 7.69 ± 3 years, 60% were females and 74% had bilateral disease, median follow-up was 60 months (range: 12-192 months). JIA was more frequent in females (80.95 vs 21.43; p<0.0001) and oligoarthritis was the most common form. Remission rate was higher in males (HR = 4.99; 95% CI = 1.16-21.51; p = 0.031). More than 40 eyes remained with the same BCVA at 1 year of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Although remission was not common and only occurred after long-term follow-up, visual prognosis was good Received 30 August 2015; revised 6 March 2016; accepted 14 March 2016; published online 18 May 2016.