Disparities in Gender and Postponement in the Manifestation of Pediatric Strabismus

Abstract

The primary aim of this research study was to meticulously evaluate and analyze the variances in gender-related differences as well as the delays in the presentation of childhood squint conditions within the context of a tertiary care hospital environment. This investigation was conducted through a comprehensive assessment of a cohort of pediatric patients who were diagnosed with squint and subsequently presented for medical attention at the Al hussain medical city in Karbala, Iraq,. We undertook a retrospective examination of the pertinent clinical cases that were recorded during the time frame spanning from February 2010 to July 2017, thereby allowing us to gather extensive data for our analysis.  A study involving 214 children with squint found that 52.4% were female. Boys presented for treatment earlier, at an average age of 3 years and 5 months, compared to girls at 4 years and 5 months, with a significant p-value of less than 0.05. Girls also had longer delays in seeking treatment, with a median delay of 2 years and 3 months, while boys had a median delay of 1 year and 3 months. Amblyopia was observed in 25.3% of the children, with girls showing a higher, though not statistically significant, prevalence (P-value 0.09). In summary, our study revealed a significant gender disparity in the age at which children present with squint conditions, highlighting the need for further investigation into the underlying factors contributing to this phenomenon in our patient population.