Congenital Corneal Anesthesia Secondary to Brainstem Ischemia as a Rare Complication of Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy

We report the case of a very rare instance of congenital corneal anesthesia secondary to brainstem lesions following neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. It's the case of a 7-month-old baby with a history of neonatal asphyxia who presented with spontaneous corneal ulcerations and corneal anesthesia associated with brainstem lesions and brain lesions visible on MRI, secondary to neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. The case of the baby was complicated by the superinfection of the ulceration. He was treated with fortified antibiotics, eyedrops, and frequent instillation of eye lubricants and ointments. The evolution was marked by the healing of the ulceration and the improvement of the corneal sensitivity; however, there were sequelae in the more affected eye by the formation of a corneal pannus.