Keratitis in reactive arthritis (Reiter syndrome) in childhood.

PURPOSE: To present a rare ocular manifestation of reactive arthritis (Reiter syndrome) in a child.

METHODS: A 10-year-old girl who was admitted to our hospital with low-grade fever, arthritis, and aching left eye with blurred vision was diagnosed with Reiter reactive arthritis. At the time of admittance, the ophthalmologic examination revealed keratitis; this mildly affected the vision.

RESULTS: Keratitis resolved under treatment with topical steroids and antibiotic drops after 1 month, without scarring. Although 75% of the patients with reactive arthritis present ophthalmic manifestations, keratitis is a very rare finding in reactive arthritis and even rarer in children.

CONCLUSIONS: It should be kept in mind that keratitis could be an ocular manifestation of reactive arthritis in young patients.