FREQUENCY OF TORCH INFECTION AMONG CONGENITAL CATARACT PATIENTS

The objective of this descriptive cross-sectional study was to determine the frequency of TORCH infections among congenital cataract patients. The study was conducted at Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University Larkana, from September 22, 2021, to March 21, 2022. Patients meeting the inclusion criteria, including those diagnosed with congenital cataracts and TORCH infection within the age range of one day to ten years, were included after obtaining informed consent from their guardians. A slit lamp examination was performed to identify lens opacities indicative of congenital cataracts. Subsequently, patients with congenital cataracts were sent for laboratory investigation. TORCH infections were diagnosed based on IgM levels and clinical manifestations specific to each pathogen. The results revealed that the age range of the patients included in the study was one day to ten years, with a mean age of 17.9 ± 21.8 months. Of the 85 patients with congenital cataracts, 36 (42.5%) were male, and 49 (57.5%) were female. Interestingly, TORCH infection was identified in 17 (19.6%) patients with congenital cataracts, while the remaining patients showed no evidence of TORCH infection. In conclusion, TORCH pathogens, particularly cytomegalovirus and rubella virus, were found to be frequent causative agents of congenital cataracts. These findings highlight the importance of early diagnosis and management of TORCH infections in patients with congenital cataracts to prevent visual impairment and other associated complications.