Clinical outcomes of pediatric patients with congenital toxoplasmosis in a fourthlevel center Introduction. Congenital.

INTRODUCTION

Congenital toxoplasmosis is a highly prevalent parasitic disease worldwide, with a high burden of disease and neurodevelopmental involvement in pediatric patients.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the clinical sequelae and neurodevelopmental state of pediatric patients with congenital toxoplasmosis at the Hospital Militar Central during 2013 to 2020.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study with an analytical component, including pediatric patients diagnosed with congenital toxoplasmosis. Patients consulted the Hospital Militar Central from January 2013 to December 2020. The Ages and Stages Questionnaires 3 neurodevelopmental scale was applied to children under six years old.

RESULTS

Forty-five patients with confirmed congenital toxoplasmosis were included, with a mean age of 5.9 years; 60% were male; 11.2 % were symptomatic at birth, and 33% presented chorioretinitis. During the follow-up, 73% presented ophthalmologic sequelae, 64% cerebral calcifications, 4.4% hydrocephalus, 11.2% cerebral palsy, and 13.4% focal epilepsy. In children under six years old, 58% presented neurodevelopmental compromise, and in those over six years old, 62% had cognitive deficits. In this cohort, 68% of the patients received posnatal treatment, with a statistically significant association between not receiving treatment and ophthalmological sequelae (OR = 5.2; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Congenital toxoplasmosis is associated with important long-term sequelae similar to those described in several Latin American series. These findings highlight the importance of early diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, and timely interdisciplinary follow-up of patients in our country to improve their prognosis.