Dr.Payal Mukherji

Dr.Neha Shilpy, Dr.Vishal Prakash Nandeshwar, Dr.Tarun Baxla

Abstract

PURPOSE- To assess the frequency and distribution of retinal changes in children suffering from cerebral malaria, study correlation between fundal changes and severity of disease, visual outcome and survival of patients.
METHODS- Observational, cross sectional study was done on pediatric patients, suffering from cerebral malaria in a tertiary care centre in India. Complete ophthalmological examination was done and findings tabulated. Data was analysed with SPSS software.
RESULTS- Total 113 children of age group 0-18 years were enrolled in study. 68.14% had retinal changes. Most common retinal signs were white centered hemorrhage and papilledema. Correlation between white centered retinal hemorrhages and visual prognosis was found to be statistically significant. Patients with Grade 4 parasitemia showed maximum retinal signs with significant correlation between severity of papilledema and parasite load (p=0.037). Patients with retinal whitening suffered from severe coma (p=0.002)