Changes in choroidal tissue post-supplementation with vitamin D in pediatric patients who are deficient in vitamin D

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Pediatrics
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Vitamin D plays a crucial role in various bodily functions, including ocular health.
• Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in pediatric populations and may impact ocular structures.
• The choroid, a vascular layer of the eye, is essential for retinal health and function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantitatively assess choroidal structural parameters in vitamin D-deficient pediatric patients before and after treatment.
• To compare these parameters between vitamin D-deficient and non-deficient pediatric groups.
• To investigate the impact of vitamin D repletion on choroidal structure in pediatric patients.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, case-control study involving pediatric patients.
• Comparison of choroidal thickness (CT), total choroidal area (TA), luminal choroidal area (LA), stromal choroidal area (SA), and choroidal vascular index (CVI).
• Patients were categorized into vitamin D-deficient (Group 1) and non-deficient (Group 2) groups, with further stratification based on deficiency severity.

Main Results:

• Vitamin D-deficient children (Group 1) exhibited lower CT, TA, LA, SA, and CVI compared to controls (Group 2).
• Treatment led to significant increases in CT, TA, LA, SA, and CVI in the deficient group.
• The most severe deficiency group showed significant improvements in all measured parameters, while mild deficiency showed changes primarily in TA, LA, SA, and CVI.

Conclusions:

• Vitamin D deficiency in pediatric patients is associated with structural changes in the choroid, including thinning and reduced vascularity.
• Choroidal thinning and decreased CVI were most pronounced in children with severe vitamin D deficiency.
• Vitamin D repletion effectively reverses these structural changes, emphasizing the importance of adequate vitamin D levels for ocular health in children.