Ocular Manifestations in Children with Developmental Delay: A Cross-sectional Study
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Introduction: Children with Developmental Delay (DD) are at increased risk for ocular abnormalities, which may further hinder their overall growth and neurodevelopment. Understanding the spectrum of these manifestations is essential for early intervention. Aim: To investigate the prevalence and types of ocular manifestations in children with DD milestones, and to study antenatal, natal and postnatal factors present in these children with ocular manifestations. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care centre in Western Maharashtra from September 2023 to March 2025. A total of 201 children aged six months to 15 years with a clinical diagnosis of DD were included. Each child underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic examination, including visual acuity assessment, cycloplegic refraction, squint evaluation and anterior and posterior segment examination. Relevant antenatal, natal, and postnatal histories were also recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the data. A 95% confidence level was maintained, and a p-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant Results: The mean age of the participants was 5.73±4.07 years, with 120 (59.7%) males and 81 (40.3%) females. Ocular abnormalities were present in 166 (82.6%) children with DD, while 35 (17.4%) had normal ocular findings. Refractive errors were the most common, found in 119 (59.2%) children, including hypermetropia {55 (27.4%)}, astigmatism in {42 (20.9%)}, and myopia in {22 (10.9%)}.Other common ocular conditions included strabismus {59 (29.4%)}, Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) {13 (6.5%)}, cataract {12 (6%)} Only round off done, The values are matching with the values given in table 5 and 6, amblyopia {7 (3.5%)}, keratoconus {8 (4%)}, and optic atrophy {7 (3.5%)}. Ocular abnormalities were slightly more frequent in children with Isolated Developmental Delay (IDD) {37 (18.4%)} than those with Global Developmental Delay (GDD) {129 (64.1%)}, though this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.942). No significant associations were observed between ocular abnormalities other than refractive errors and age group, sex, or consanguinity. However, preterm birth showed a statistically significant association with ocular abnormalities (p=0.016). Conclusion: Children with DD, especially those with global delay, are at high-risk for ocular abnormalities. Early diagnosis and intervention for conditions such as refractive errors, strabismus, and CVI are essential to improve visual outcomes and support overall development. Routine vision screening and multidisciplinary collaboration are vital for ensuring timely care and preventing long-term visual impairment.
Authors: Renu Magdum, Arpit Gupta, Priyanka Aher, Gufran Ali Kamdar, Preethi Abraham
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $275
OpenAlex ID: W7104053477
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