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Published on: September 29, 2017
Evaluation of retinochoroidal microvascular parameters and biochemical markers in childhood obesity
Tevfik Serhat Bahar1, Yasemin Funda Bahar2, Olgar Öcal3
1Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, Antalya, 07425, Turkey.
Insights
Childhood obesity is linked to reduced foveal avascular zone (FAZ) size and thinner retinal neural layers. These microvascular changes in children may indicate underlying vascular and metabolic risks.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatrics
- Cardiovascular Health
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a growing global health concern.
- Obesity is associated with various metabolic and cardiovascular complications.
- Early detection of vascular changes in obese children is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate retinochoroidal microvascular alterations in children with obesity.
- To explore the association between these vascular changes and biochemical parameters.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 100 children (50 obese, 50 normal weight) aged 6-15 years.
- Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA) used to assess retinal parameters: superficial and deep capillary plexuses (SCP, DCP), choriocapillaris (CC), foveal avascular zone (FAZ), ganglion cell layer (GCL), and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL).
- Biochemical markers (lipids, glucose, insulin) and blood pressure were recorded; regression analysis used to determine associations.
Main Results:
- Obese children had a significantly smaller FAZ area compared to controls.
- Reduced RNFL thickness in the central region and decreased GCL thickness in temporal and inferior regions were observed in obese children.
- No significant differences in SCP, DCP, or CC vessel densities between groups.
- Foveal SCP and DCP vessel densities showed negative association with systolic blood pressure and positive association with HDL cholesterol.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric obesity is associated with anatomical changes in the retina, including FAZ reduction and thinning of neural layers.
- Retinal microvascular findings in obese children may serve as indicators of vascular and metabolic risk factors.
- Further research can explore the long-term implications of these findings.
Purpose:
To evaluate retinochoroidal microvascular changes and their association with biochemical parameters in children with obesity.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study included 100 children aged 6-15 years (50 obese, 50 normal weight). Retinal parameters superficial and deep capillary plexuses (SCP, DCP), choriocapillaris (CC), foveal avascular zone (FAZ), ganglion cell layer (GCL), and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) were assessed using OCT and OCTA. Biochemical measures, including HDL, LDL, triglycerides, glucose, insulin, and blood pressure, were recorded. Associations between vascular density and biochemical variables were analyzed using regression analysis.
Results:
Obese children showed a significantly smaller FAZ area than controls (262.11 ± 60.33 μm2 vs 316.47 ± 67.09 μm2, p < 0.001). RNFL thickness was significantly reduced in the central region (9.35 ± 5.51 μm vs 11.25 ± 4.65 μm, p = 0.041). GCL thickness was significantly lower in the temporal (81.55 ± 10.07 μm vs 87.42 ± 9.81 μm, p = 0.022) and inferior regions (85.73 ± 13.29 μm vs 92.69 ± 10.06 μm, p = 0.028). No significant differences were observed in SCP, DCP, or CC vessel densities. Foveal SCP and DCP vessel densities were negatively associated with systolic blood pressure and positively associated with HDL cholesterol.
Conclusions:
Childhood obesity is associated with FAZ reduction and thinning of retinal neural layers. Retinal microvascular findings may reflect the influence of vascular and metabolic risk factors in pediatric obesity.
