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Serum vitamin A, zinc and visual function in children with moderate to severe persistent asthma

Diana Andino1, James Moy2, Bruce I Gaynes1

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago , Maywood , IL , USA.

The Journal of Asthma : Official Journal of the Association for the Care of Asthma
|November 2, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Children with asthma show lower vitamin A and zinc levels, though not a true deficiency. Their contrast sensitivity is reduced, but not linked to these nutrient levels.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Nutritional Science
  • Ophthalmology

Background:

  • Asthma is a common childhood illness with complex factors, potentially including nutritional deficits.
  • The role of vitamin A and zinc deficiency in pediatric asthma is understudied.
  • This research investigates vitamin A and zinc levels and visual function in urban children with persistent asthma.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the prevalence of vitamin A and zinc deficiency in urban children with moderate-to-severe persistent asthma.
  • To assess the relationship between these nutrient levels and visual function.
  • To compare these parameters between asthmatic children and a control group.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional case-control study was conducted on urban children aged 8-18.
  • Serum vitamin A and zinc levels were measured.
  • Visual function was assessed using Snellen visual acuity and Peli Robson contrast sensitivity tests.

Main Results:

  • Asthmatic children had statistically lower median serum vitamin A and zinc levels compared to controls.
  • No evidence of frank vitamin A or zinc deficiency was found in either group.
  • Reduced contrast sensitivity was observed in asthmatic children, independent of vitamin A or zinc levels.

Conclusions:

  • Children with chronic asthma exhibit lower serum vitamin A and zinc levels, potentially linked to disease processes.
  • Frank vitamin A or zinc deficiency was not identified.
  • The observed reduction in contrast sensitivity in asthmatic children is not explained by vitamin A or zinc levels.

Keywords:
Nutritioncataractpediatricretinolvision

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