Ophthalmic symptoms, clinical signs and diagnostic delay in infants diagnosed with brain tumours in Denmark between 2007 and 2017

Nathali J. Turanzas, René Mathiasen, Steffen Heegaard, Kjeld Schmiegelow, Astrid Sehested, Jeppe K. Holtz, Volkert Siersma, Kamilla R. Nissen, Sarah L. von Holstein*

*Corresponding author af dette arbejde

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Abstract

Purpose: To investigate ophthalmic onset manifestations and the impact of diagnostic delay on the prognosis in infants (<1 year) diagnosed with a brain tumour. Methods: A retrospective population-based nationwide study of infants diagnosed with a brain tumour between 2007 and 2017 in Denmark. Data was retrieved from the Danish Childhood Cancer Registry, the National Danish Health registries, and medical files. Primary outcome measures included symptoms, clinical findings, time to diagnosis and survival. Results: Thirty-seven infants were diagnosed with a brain tumour in Denmark between 2007 and 2017. In total, 19/37 infants (51%, 95% CI: 34–68) had ophthalmic manifestations at any time prior to or at diagnosis; and in 6/37 (16%, 95% CI: 6–32) ophthalmic manifestations were the initial symptom. The most common ophthalmic manifestations were strabismus (n = 7), sunset eyes (n = 6), nystagmus (n = 4), reduced pupillary light reflex (n = 4), and/or decreased vision (n = 4). The median number of symptoms per infant at the time of diagnosis was three (range 0–9). The median diagnostic delay was 26 days (range 0–283, IQR: 6;90). 5-year survival rate was 75% (95% CI: 61–90) and all children with diagnostic delay > 100 days (n = 9, 24%) were still alive at the end of follow-up (median 6.3 years, range 2.2–10.2). Conclusion: We provide an overview of symptoms and clinical signs in a nation-wide series of infants with CNS tumours and demonstrate that ophthalmic manifestations are frequently observed in infants prior to diagnosis, but, often in combination with other clinical signs. The diagnostic delay was substantial for a large part of the infants, but this was not associated with increased mortality.

OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftActa Ophthalmologica
Vol/bind102
Udgave nummer3
Sider (fra-til)334-341
Antal sider8
ISSN1755-375X
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2024

Bibliografisk note

Funding Information:
The study was supported by donations from Engineer Otto Christensen's Foundation, the Synoptik Foundation, Doctor Emil Sofus Friis and wife Olga Doris Friis's Foundation, and the nationwide research program Childhood Oncology Network Targeting Research, Organization & Life expectancy (CONTROL), and supported by the Danish Cancer Society (R‐257‐A14720) and the Danish Childhood Cancer Foundation (2019‐5934 and 2020‐5769). The supporting foundations had no role in the design or conduct of this research.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Authors. Acta Ophthalmologica published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica Foundation.

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