Nutritional nystagmus in infants.

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Ophthalmology
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Infantile nystagmus can be acquired, presenting with complex symptoms beyond eye movement abnormalities.
• Early identification of underlying causes is crucial for effective intervention in infants.

Observation:

• Two infants presented with acquired infantile nystagmus, peculiar facies, and significant growth and developmental delays.
• Clinical presentation included failure to thrive and Wernicke's type nystagmus, suggesting a potential metabolic or nutritional etiology.

Findings:

• Diagnostic suspicion of B vitamin deficiency led to the identification of dietary deficiency and/or an enzymatic defect.
• Dietary supplementation with B vitamins resulted in complete resolution of nystagmus in both infants.
• Improved growth and developmental trajectories were observed following B vitamin treatment.

Implications:

• Pediatricians and ophthalmologists should consider B vitamin deficiency in infants with acquired nystagmus and associated developmental issues.
• Early diagnosis and treatment of B vitamin deficiency can prevent long-term neurological and developmental sequelae.
• This highlights the critical role of nutritional assessment in pediatric ophthalmology and developmental pediatrics.