Epidemiology of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) among children aged (12-15) years - Menofia Governorate, Egypt

Abstract

Purpose The aim of this study was to study the prevalence and risk factors of vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) among children aged 12-15 years in Menoufia Governorate. Patients and methods This was a cross-sectional study that was carried out on 768 children (405 males and 363 females) aged from 12 to 15 years in Menoufia Governorate during the period from September 2016 to the end of August 2017. All participants were asked to answer a questionnaire and were subjected to full ophthalmological examination. Results The mean age of the participants was 13.02±1.00 years. The prevalence of VKC among the studied children was 3.9% (95% confidence interval, 2.6-5.3). Exposure to dust and family history of allergy were the major risk factors (odds ratio, 16.04 and 45.25, respectively). Itching and burning sensation were the most prominent symptoms, whereas hyperemia was the most prominent sign. Conclusion VKC is fairly common among children in Menoufia Governorate as part of the North African region. Exposure to dust and family history were the major risk factors. VKC was associated with other types of allergy like asthma or allergic rhinitis.