[Decreased vision due to hypovitaminosis A in children with food selectivity].

Abstract

Introduction: Vitamin A deficiency can cause eye disease and has been related to food selectivity in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Methods: A series of 13 pediatric patients with severe ophthalmological involvement as an initial manifestation of hypovitaminosis A is described.

Results: With significant Vitamin A deficiency, neuroimaging was performed in 11 patients. Of these, 8 had pathological findings with the presence of cranial hyperostosis. Lumbar puncture was performed in these patients and endocranial hypertension was detected in 7 of the 8 patients. All had food selectivity and 61.5% had ASD.

Conclusions: Toxic-nutritional optic neuropathy is a rare pathology in children and presents with progressive, bilateral and painless visual loss due to damage to the optic nerve, which can generate severe and irreversible damage to it. Food history allows early detection of nutrient deficiencies in children with restrictive feeding, especially in neuro-atypical patients. This is essential to implement preventive measures and treatment with vitamin A in order to avoid irreversible consequences.