Distribution of multiple chalazia in eyelids of pediatrics requiring surgery in southeast China: a hospital-based cross-sectional study

Background Multiple chalazia are common in children, and many are treated by surgery. However, the distribution of different types of multiple chalazia has not been studied. This research aimed to investigate the location and number of multiple chalazia in pediatrics who need surgical treatments. Methods Patients with multiple chalazia treated by incision and curettage surgery (I&C) in a tertiary children's hospital between June and December 2016 were reviewed. Demographic data, locations, and numbers of chalazia were recorded. Data were analyzed using generalized linear models of the counts and the occurrences of chalazia. Hypotheses were tested using likelihood ratio tests appropriate for each type of data. Results The study included 128 subjects, most of which were 1-3 years old. The majority of patients had bilateral chalazia (95.3%), and the proportions of patients with internal, external, and marginal chalazion differed dramatically (99.2%, 61.7%, and 2.3%, respectively). The number of internal and external chalazia did not vary significantly with gender, age, or residence of the patients. Internal chalazia were located more frequently in the upper lids (p<0.001). External chalazia showed no preference of localization. The average number of internal chalazia in each eyelid did not relate to the presence of external chalazia. Conclusions Multiple chalazia are common among younger children in southeast China. The anatomical distribution varies depending on the type of chalazion. Multiple chalazia often occur bilaterally and internally. If doctors are more aware of the anatomical distribution of chalazia, this might result in a higher success rate of I&C.