Naser Nasiri - HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Hamid Sharifi - HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Tahereh Rahimi - Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
Ghodsieh Sharif - Department of Pediatrics, Payambar Azam Hospital, School of Medicine, Islamic Azad University - Kerman Branch, Kerman, Iran
Ali Sharifi - Department of Ophthalmology, Shafa Hospital, Afzalipour School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

Introduction: COVID-۱۹ ocular manifestations commonly occur in adults; however, there is limited data on this manifestation in children. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the prevalence of ocular manifestations in children. Methods: We searched PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science, and MedRxiv from December ۱, ۲۰۱۹, to February ۳, ۲۰۲۱. Two independent reviewers screened the articles, extracted the data, and assessed the quality of the articles. Results: After screening ۱,۵۱۰ articles, ۱۹ were approved and included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The literature review showed that ۸۹ out of ۷۴۹ children with COVID-۱۹ had at least one ocular manifestation. The estimated pooled prevalence of ocular manifestations was ۸.۰% (۹۵% confidence intervals ۴.۰ – ۱۲.۰). The most common symptoms were conjunctival discharge (n = ۳۱, ۲۳.۱%), conjunctival congestion (n = ۲۱, ۱۶.۰%), eye rubbing (n = ۱۹, ۱۴.۲%). Conclusion:  Ocular manifestations are common in children with COVID-۱۹; one out of ۱۴ infected children shows at least one ocular manifestation. Physicians should pay attention to the ocular manifestations associated with COVID-۱۹ in children.

COVID-۱۹, Children, Ocular Manifestations, Conjunctivitis, Systematic Review