Epidemiological Characterization of Uveitis in Pediatric Population: A Systematic Review and Meta Analysis

Abstract

Pediatric uveitis is a leading cause of visual impairment, often resulting in severe complications without timely and appropriate intervention. Its etiology varies geographically, necessitating a comprehensive epidemiological assessment. To identify prevalent causes of pediatric uveitis, assess geographic variations, and evaluate demographic patterns. A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and CENTRAL was conducted for studies published between 2005 and 2025. Retrospective cohort and cross-sectional studies reporting pediatric uveitis etiology were included. Data were pooled using a random-effects model, with heterogeneity assessed via I² statistics. Out of a total of 8,974 studies initially considered, only 30 met the criteria for inclusion. Idiopathic uveitis was the most common diagnosis (39.71%, 95% CI: 32.02-47.94%). Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)-associated uveitis was most prevalent (15.59%, 95% CI: 11.92-20.14%) of all cases and was the leading defined non-infectious cause, Behçet's disease (4.8%) and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease (3.63%) of all cases. Infectious uveitis was dominated by toxoplasmosis (7.24%), tuberculosis (4.43%), and toxocariasis (3.02%) infections of all cases. Significant geographic disparities were observed, with JIA more prevalent in high-income countries and infectious uveitis more common in lower-resource regions. Pediatric uveitis presents substantial regional variability, with idiopathic cases being generally predominant. Enhanced diagnostic tools and multidisciplinary management are essential for early detection and improved outcomes. Standardizing diagnostic criteria can help reduce the burden of pediatric uveitis worldwide.

Keywords: Epidemiology; juvenile idiopathic arthritis; meta-analysis; pediatric uveitis; toxoplasmosis.