Dr.SUSHAD PRASAD

Dr.Josephine Christy

Abstract

Objective: To study clinical profile, risk factors and complications of pediatric Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus (HZO). Methods: Retrospective 5 year review of clinically confirmed paediatric HZO cases was done. Results: Among total 8 cases (4 males and 4 females) two were less than or equal to 5 years. There was no impact on visual acuity in 6 out of 8 cases due to absence of corneal involvement and complications. Two patients presented with disciform keratitis and one with anterior uveitis. None of the children were vaccinated nor had history of inutero exposure or contact or past h/o chicken pox. Immunosuppression was present in one child who was on inhalational steroids for asthma. Constitutional symptoms were present in 5 cases and one child had preceding viral encephalitis 3 days before the onset of HZO. Conclusion: Paediatric HZO in general has good prognosis and fewer complications. It is possible to have HZO even in immunocompetent children without any identifiable risk factor.