Hereditary diseases can cause congenital cataracts

Cataract is not just a disease that affects parents. Newborns can also experience similar disorders. This condition is called congenital cataract, which is a cataract that has occurred since birth. Congenital cataracts can cause vision problems which can cause blindness in infants and children. This eye disease is usually caused by infection, trauma, drug reactions and hereditary diseases.

Cataracts can occur in one or both eyes. A person can diagnose cataracts in someone if the lens in his eye looks blurry. Under normal eye conditions, the lens is clear so that light can pass through the lens and you have a good view.

Causes of congenital cataracts

Congenital cataracts are usually due to infection during pregnancy. Examples include measles, rubella, chickenpox, herpes simplex, cytomegalovirus, syphilis and toxoplasmosis infections. In addition, the consumption of antibiotics during pregnancy, such as tetracycline, can cause the birth of a baby with cataracts.

The cause of congenital cataracts that can not be avoided is heredity. Some people are at higher risk of developing congenital cataracts. This is due to abnormalities in the formation of basic proteins that play a role in maintaining lens clarity.
 
Hereditary disorders that cause congenital cataracts

Various hereditary diseases that can cause congenital cataracts, including:

1. Lowe Syndrome

Lowe syndrome is a congenital disorder that causes eye, brain and kidney disorders. Babies born with this syndrome will have congenital cataracts in both eyes. In some cases, congenital cataracts can develop into glaucoma due to increased eye pressure.

In Lowe syndrome, brain disorders delay child development. While in the kidney, reabsorption of essential nutrients to the body into the bloodstream is disrupted.

Lowe syndrome is a hereditary disease associated with the X chromosome, which is a chromosome that plays a role in determining sex. In men, only one mutated X chromosome is needed for this disorder to occur. As a result, he is more experienced by men than women.

2. Marinesco-Sjogren's Syndrome

Children with Marinesco-Sjorgen syndrome will be affected by congenital cataracts. This can happen at birth or at a young age. In addition to congenital cataracts, strabismus (narrowed eyes) and unconscious eye movements (involuntary movements) are other potential eye problems.

In addition to cataracts, children also have muscle weakness and coordination problems, which makes it difficult for them to walk. Growing up, children will experience puberty delay due to the disruption of hormone production which plays a role in sexual development.

Unlike Lowe syndrome, this congenital disease is not inherited from the X chromosome. A child will suffer from this disease if he acquires genetic inheritance involving mutations of both parents. If a child has only one genetic mutation, this disease will not be transmitted but the risk is transmitted to him.

3. Condrodisplasia

Hollywood actors Peter Dinklage and Tyrion Lannister from the Game of Thrones series are examples of individuals with condrodisplasia. He suffers from acondroplasia, a mild form of chondroplasia where the patient has few limitations. In addition, chondroplasia can also occur in severe forms.

In its severe form, one of the abnormalities that can be experienced is congenital cataracts. Mental disorders and growth can also occur. Most babies born with this disease cannot survive in their childhood.
Condrodisplasia results from gene mutations obtained from both parents. However, this condition can sometimes occur without the inheritance of both parents.

Treatment and prevention of congenital cataracts

In children born with congenital cataracts, improvement of the condition with lens replacement surgery may be needed. This can prevent children from experiencing complications from their congenital cataracts. In addition, if congenital cataracts are associated with congenital diseases, treatment is needed to treat other conditions.

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