Risk Factors for Ocular Complications in Pediatric Uveitis: Analysis of 133 Cases from a Retrospective Single-Center Study

PURPOSE: To evaluate the demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of pediatric non-infectious uveitis and to identify factors associated with ocular complications and the need for biological therapy. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 133 pediatric patients with non-infectious uveitis were grouped according to the presence of ocular complications and the need for biological therapy. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of ocular complications. RESULTS: Our study included 133 patients with a median follow-up period of 24 months. Most cases were anterior (71.4%), bilateral (75.9%), and chronic (75.2%). Ocular complications were observed in 53.4% of patients; the most common were posterior syenchiae. In univariate analysis, younger age at onset (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.81-0.97), chronic disease course (OR 2.52, 95% CI 1.12-5.68), lower baseline BCVA (OR 1.62 per 0.1 logMAR increase, 95% CI 1.34-1.96), and lower BCVA at the latest visit (OR 1.91 per 0.1 logMAR increase, 95% CI 1.44-2.53) were associated with complications. In multivariate analysis, baseline BCVA remained the only independent predictor of ocular complications (OR 1.58 per 0.1 logMAR increase, 95% CI 1.29-1.94). Patients requiring biological therapy were more frequently female, had earlier disease onset, chronic course, more frequent posterior syenchiae, and higher PLT levels. CONCLUSIONS: Low baseline BCVA was the only independent predictor of ocular complications. Younger age at onset and chronic disease course were associated with complications. More frequent monitoring might be considered in patients with lower baseline BCVA, chronic course, female gender, posterior syenchiae and higher baseline PLT levels.