Retinal changes in febrile seizures in children: a retrospective analysis in Tuzla Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Aim To evaluate the possibility of retinal haemorrhages or any other retinal pathology caused by febrile seizures alone in children aged between 2 months and 15 years. Methods Children aged between 2 months and 15 years admitted to the hospital following seizures were examined within 48 hours of admission. The seizures were classified by a paediatric neurologist and a detailed ocular examination, including indirect ophthalmoscopy, was performed by an ophthalmologist. Results In the period between May 2019 and May 2020 a total number of 106 children were examined. There were 66 (62.3%) male and 40 (37.7%) female children. The youngest patient was 2 months old and the oldest patient was 15 years old. None of the children was found to have retinal haemorrhages or any other retinal pathology. Conclusion Retinal haemorrhages or any other acute retinal findings in children with febrile seizures are very rare, but we cannot rule out its occurrence. The finding of retinal haemorrhages in a child admitted with a history of seizure should trigger a detailed search for other causes of those haemorrhages, especially shaken baby syndrome. Due to the lack of any manifestations on the retina after febrile seizure, maybe it is time that the current protocol and guidelines, considering obligatory fundus examination, should be re-examined.

Refractive errors in children: analysis among preschool and school children in Tuzla city, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Aim To establish the prevalence of refractive errors in preschool and school children between 4 and 15 years of age, living in Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Methods Children from all elementary schools in the city of Tuzla and as well from eight day-care centres were screened for refractive errors in the period 2015-2019. Any child, who failed to pass the screening examination, was referred to an ophthalmologist for complete ophthalmological evaluation. The obtained data were analysed using non-parametric statistics. Results The highest number of children who were tested after the screening process was during 2015. A total of 7415 children (3790 males and 3625 females), in the age range of 4-15 were screened. In the total sample of children who were completely evaluated (n=145; 290 eyes) the most common refractive error was astigmatism, in 152 (52.4%) eyes. In the preschool children (n=18; 36 eyes), the most common refractive error was astigmatism, in 19 (52.8%) eyes, followed by hyperopia, in 9 (25%) eyes. In the school children (n=127) (254 eyes), the most common refractive error was astigmatism, in 133 (52.4%) eyes, followed by myopia, in 92 (36.2%) eyes. The overall prevalence of refractive errors was 1.95% (145 with refractive error out of 7415 screened). Conclusion Prevalence of refractive errors is high enough to justify a school eye screening programme.

Pediatric cataract in Tuzla Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

AIM: To estimate incidence and to present descriptive epidemiological data on pediatric cataract in Tuzla Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina. METHODS: Medical records of all patients hospitalized at the Eye Clinic of the University Clinical Center Tuzla over the 8-year period were retrospectively examined. Prevalence, morphology and type of cataract, its possible etiology and existence of other associated ocular and systemic diseases were analyzed. RESULTS: The study included 87 eyes of 58 children. Average age at presentation was 11.12 (SD ± 9.03) years. A total of 34 (58.62%) patients were males and twenty-four (41.38%) females. Twentynine (50%) cataracts were unilateral. Thirty-seven (63.79%) patients had isolated cataracts and 24 (29.31%) patients had other ocular anomalies associated with pediatric cataract. High refractive anomalies, nystagmus and microphthalmus were most commonly associated ocular findings. Strabismus was present in 14 (24.13%) cases. Posterior cortical cataract was present in 29 (32.58%) and nuclear cataract in 28 (31.46%) cases. Estimated incidence of congenital cataract was 2.62 per 10.000 births and incidence of pediatric cataract was 8.6 per 10.000 births. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of pediatric cataract in Tuzla Canton is within the worldwide range. Late presentation of children with cataract remains the problem that needs to be addressed. Improved patient education and public awareness are needed in order to change the course of avoidable childhood visual impairment.