Abstract

MARGATO, Elmano  and  SEBASTIAO, Rita. Infantile nystagmus: an innocuous condition or something else? based on a case report. Rev Port Med Geral Fam [online]. 2020, vol.36, n.4, pp.360-368. ISSN 2182-5173.  https://doi.org/10.32385/rpmgf.v36i4.12617.

Introduction: Infantile nystagmus may or may not be associated with visual and/or neurological disorders and constitutes an uncommon and rarely observed entity in Family Medicine clinical practice. We sought to find out how the family physician should act before this condition. Case description: We describe the case of an infant with no relevant personal or family history in whom the family physician, during the preventive care visit at four months of age, identified the presence of a bilateral, conjugate, symmetrical, horizontal and continuous nystagmus. Based on a quick referral to pediatric Ophthalmology and Neurology, the existence of a concomitant neurological condition was excluded. The child was followed up by the ophthalmologist and family physician, monitoring his progress according to current recommendations. Comment: This case report demonstrates the importance of a systematic and comprehensive assessment of children at preventive care visits. A thorough physical examination should not be neglected, avoiding hasty assumptions. It also reinforces the need for adequate ophthalmic evaluation, particularly in the first months of life - when infantile nystagmus usually manifests -, as well as the importance of further investigation into this condition. Although many of these cases occur in an isolated manner, most seem to be associated with visual defects, with the family physician having a primary role in the identification, referral, and follow-up of these children, being aware of possible disturbances in their development and socialization, as well as consequences on the family dynamics and stability.

Keywords : Nystagmus, Congenital; Nystagmus, Pathologic; Family physician.

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