Incidence and demographics of childhood ptosis

Purpose: To report the incidence and demographics of childhood ptosis diagnosed over a 40-year period in a well-defined population.

Design: Retrospective, population-based cohort study.

Participants: Patients (<19 years) diagnosed with childhood ptosis and residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, from January 1, 1965, through December 31, 2004.

Methods: The medical records of all potential patients identified by the Rochester Epidemiology Project were reviewed.

Main outcome measures: Calculated annual age- and gender-specific incidence rates and demographic information.

Results: A total of 107 children were diagnosed with ptosis during the 40-year period, yielding an incidence of 7.9 per 100000 younger than 19 years (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.4-9.5). Ninety-six (89.7%) of the 107 had congenital-onset disease. Eighty-one (75%) of the 107 had simple congenital ptosis, yielding a birth prevalence of 1 in 842 births. A family history of childhood ptosis was present in 12% of queried patients with simple congenital ptosis. Three (4%) of the simple congenital ptosis cases were bilateral and 55 (68%) of the unilateral cases involved the left upper eyelid (95% CI, 57%-78%; P<0.001).

Conclusions: Childhood ptosis was diagnosed in 7.9 per 100000 patients younger than 19 years (95% CI, 6.4-9.5). Simple congenital ptosis was the most prevalent form, occurring in 1 in 842 births, and was significantly more likely to involve the left side.

Financial disclosure(s): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.