Vitamin D deficiency in children leads to retinal structural parameter changes

This prospective, cross-sectional cohort study conducted at a single institution in Turkey evaluated the effect of vitamin D deficiency on retinal structural parameters in children.

Study design

Patients were divided into 2 groups: those with a vitamin D deficiency (n = 70) and those without a deficiency (n = 80). Several retinal structure parameters were evaluated and compared between each patient group, including central retinal artery equivalent (CRAE), central retinal vein equivalent (CRVE), choroidal thickness, and retinal nerve fiber layer.

Outcomes

In patients with vitamin D deficiency, choroidal thinning, a decrease in CRAE, and an increase in CRVE were reported. For the other retinal structure parameters, no statistical difference was noted between the 2 patient groups.

Limitations

Limitations include a homogenous ethnic patient population, no reporting of the duration of the patients’ vitamin D deficiency, and no subgroup analyses regarding either vitamin D deficiency levels or microvascular damage outcomes (i.e., choroidal thinning vs. CRAE decrease vs. CRVE increase).

Clinical significance

Although the investigators reported retinal microvascular pathogenesis in pediatric patients with vitamin D deficiency, many children with vitamin D deficiency will likely have more complex systemic disease. In addition, the implications of this study's findings regarding retinal maturation during childhood and Vitamin D deficiency are important, but the direct application to clinical practice is limited at this time.