Ophthalmological findings in children with congenital toxoplasmosis - Report from a Swedish prospective screening study of congenital toxoplasmosis with two years of follow-up

Congenital toxoplasmosis may lead to severe visual impairment or neurologic al sequelae in the child. Purpose: To study the severity of the primary and late ophthalmological dys function during a prospective incidence study of congenital toxoplasmosis i n the Stockholm and Skane counties. Methods: Blood collected on phenylketonuria (PE;U) cards from 40978 consecu tively born children were investigated for antitoxoplasma antibodies. Child ren with verified congenital toxoplasmosis were treated for 12 months with antiparasitic therapy and followed ophthalmologically, neurologically and s erologically every third month. Results: Three children had congenital toxoplasmosis. Two of these were asy mptomatic at birth and would have escaped early detection without screening . One child had unilateral severe visual impairment and CNS involvement. Th e incidence of congenital toxoplasmosis was less than 1:10 000. Conclusion: Neonatal screening is of importance to diagnose asymptomatic in fected children with congenital toxoplasmosis as treatment has been shown t o reduce long-term sequelae. Ophthalmological investigations should start e arly and continue in co-operation with paediatricians.