[Role of systematic ophthalmological screening for congenital toxoplasmosis: epidemiological study of an Alsatian cohort from 1990 to 2011].
BACKGROUND
Ophthalmologic complications of congenital toxoplasmosis, such as retino-choroiditis, are particularly feared. Any child with confirmed congenital toxoplasmosis is systematically treated and followed regularly with multiple fundus examinations. The goal of our study is to describe the management and monitoring of a cohort of patients with congenital toxoplasmosis in Alsace, and the impact of this disease in terms of parental anxiety using a standardized questionnaire.


METHODS
Our study recorded 35 children with congenital toxoplasmosis, born between 1990 and 2011 in Alsace. All patients were followed by an ophthalmologist. A standardized questionnaire concerning the experience of pregnancy and post-natal follow-up was administered to the parents.


RESULTS
At birth, retinochoroiditis was detected in 2 of the 35 children, and only one child developed chorioretinitis detected during follow-up monitoring (follow-up ranged from 1 to 22 years). Brain abnormalities were noted in 3 children at birth; none of them have presented with chorioretinitis to this day. An average score of 15 out of 23 was found by our standardized questionnaire, reflecting significant anxiety due to congenital toxoplasmosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Parental anxiety due to congenital toxoplasmosis is obvious, as demonstrated by our standardized questionnaire. Follow-up, directed by comprehensive pediatric examination at birth, including fundus examination, and good information on functional signs of ocular toxoplasmosis may improve screening, so as to avoid impact on visual function.
Service d'ophtalmologie, nouvel hôpital civil, hôpitaux universitaires de Strasbourg, BP 426, 67091 Strasbourg, France.
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Subilia-Guignier
Laboratoire de parasitologie et de mycologie médicale des hôpitaux universitaires de Strasbourg, université de Strasbourg, institut de parasitologie et de pathologie tropicale, 3, rue Koeberlé, 67000 Strasbourg, France.
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Villard
Laboratoire de parasitologie et de mycologie médicale des hôpitaux universitaires de Strasbourg, université de Strasbourg, institut de parasitologie et de pathologie tropicale, 3, rue Koeberlé, 67000 Strasbourg, France.
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D
Filisetti
Service de pédiatrie, hôpital de Hautepierre, hôpitaux universitaires de Strasbourg, avenue Molière, 67000 Strasbourg, France.
B
B
Escande
Laboratoire de parasitologie et de mycologie médicale des hôpitaux universitaires de Strasbourg, université de Strasbourg, institut de parasitologie et de pathologie tropicale, 3, rue Koeberlé, 67000 Strasbourg, France.
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E
Candolfi
Service d'ophtalmologie, nouvel hôpital civil, hôpitaux universitaires de Strasbourg, BP 426, 67091 Strasbourg, France.
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C
Speeg-Schatz
Service d'ophtalmologie, nouvel hôpital civil, hôpitaux universitaires de Strasbourg, BP 426, 67091 Strasbourg, France. Electronic address: arnaud.sauer@chru-strasbourg.fr.
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Sauer
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D015997:Neonatal Screening / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014125:Toxoplasmosis, Congenital / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult
Congenital toxoplasmosis; Dépistage; Epidemiology; Questionnaire; Retinochoroiditis; Rétinochoroïdite; Screening; Toxoplasmose congénitale; Épidémiologie