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An Evaluation of Choroidal and Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thicknesses Using SD-OCT in Children with Childhood IgA
1Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Adıyaman University, Kahta Street, Adiyaman 02000, Turkey.
Insights
Children with IgA vasculitis (IgAV) show increased choroidal and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness. These measurements may serve as biomarkers for this systemic inflammatory condition in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatrics
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Childhood IgA vasculitis (IgAV) is a systemic inflammatory condition.
- Ocular manifestations of IgAV are not fully understood.
- Investigating ocular structures like the choroid and RNFL is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate choroidal and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thicknesses in children with IgAV.
- To compare these measurements with those of healthy children.
- To explore potential biomarker utility of these ocular parameters.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 52 children with IgAV and 54 healthy controls.
- Ocular measurements included foveal center choroidal thickness and average RNFL thickness.
- Collected data on patient age, sex, ESR, and CRP levels.
Main Results:
- Significantly greater choroidal thickness in IgAV patients (median 374.0 µm) vs. controls (median 349.5 µm).
- Significantly greater average RNFL thickness in IgAV patients (median 110.0 µm) vs. controls (median 104.0 µm).
- No correlation found between ESR/CRP levels and ocular measurements.
Conclusions:
- Children with IgAV exhibit significantly increased choroidal and RNFL thicknesses.
- The choroid and RNFL are affected by the inflammatory processes in IgAV.
- Choroidal and RNFL thickness may serve as valuable biomarkers for childhood IgAV.
Abstract:
Background: We aimed to evaluate choroidal and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thicknesses in children undergoing the childhood IgA vasculitis (IgAV). Methods: Fifty-two patients with IgAV aged 1−6 years and 54 healthy children were included. Cases’ age, sex, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), RNFL thicknesses, and choroidal thickness values were recorded. Results: Median foveal center choroidal thickness was 374.0 µm (315.0 to 452.0 µm) in the IgAV group and 349.5 µm (285.0 to 442.0 µm) in the control group (p = 0.001). Median average RNFL thickness was 110.0 µm (91.0 to 134.0 µm) in the IgAV group and 104.0 µm (89.0 to 117.0 µm) in the control group (p < 0.001). Choroidal and RNFL thicknesses were significantly greater in all quadrants in the IgAV group than in the control group. No correlation was determined between ESR or CRP and foveal center choroidal and average RNFL thicknesses. Conclusions: Our findings show that choroidal and RNFL thicknesses increased significantly in children undergoing childhood IgA vasculitis compared to the healthy control group. These findings show that the choroid and RNFL are also affected by the inflammatory process in IgAV, which is a systemic vasculitis. We think that the choroidal and RNFL thicknesses can be used as a biomarker for childhood IgAV.
