Evaluation of nutritional status in children with amblyopia

ABSTRACT Purpose: We aimed to compare the body mass index and vitamin and mineral status of children with and without amblyopia. Methods: Amblyopic children aged between 5 and 18 years (n=46) and age-matched control children (n=32) were evaluated in terms of anthropometric parameters, including height, weight, body mass index and demographic features. Serum vitamin B12 and folate were measured using an Advia Centaur XP (Siemens, Ireland) biochemistry analyzer. We evaluated the inorganic mineral elements from hair samples with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry using a Thermo XSeries 2 analyzer (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Bremen, Germany). Results: No significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of height, weight, and body mass index or serum B12 and folate concentrations (p>0.05). Children with severe amblyopia had lower vitamin B12 and folate and higher body mass index. The levels of phosphorus (p=0.012), selenium (p=0.002), molybdenum (p<0.001), iodine (p=0.002), chromium (p=0.022), boron (p<0.001), and beryllium (p=0.005) were all significantly lower in the amblyopia group compared to the control group. All of these minerals, except phosphorus, were also significantly lower in those with severe amblyopia compared to those with milder amblyopia and controls (p<0.05). Conclusion: Amblyopic children are significantly deficient in some inorganic elements. Inorganic elements, vitamin B12, and folate may play an important role in the visual development of amblyopic children.

摘要
研究目的：本研究旨在对比弱视（amblyopia）与非弱视儿童的体重指数（Body Mass Index, BMI）、维生素及矿物质营养状态。
研究方法：纳入5至18岁弱视儿童46例，以及年龄匹配的对照儿童32例，对其人体测量学参数（包括身高、体重、体重指数）及人口学特征进行评估。采用爱尔兰西门子Advia Centaur XP生化分析仪检测血清维生素B12与叶酸水平。采用德国不来梅赛默飞世尔科技（Thermo Fisher Scientific）Thermo XSeries 2型电感耦合等离子体质谱仪，对毛发样本中的无机矿物质元素进行检测分析。
研究结果：两组儿童在身高、体重、体重指数以及血清维生素B12、叶酸浓度方面均无显著差异（p>0.05）。重度弱视儿童的维生素B12、叶酸水平更低，体重指数更高。与对照组相比，弱视组儿童的磷（p=0.012）、硒（p=0.002）、钼（p<0.001）、碘（p=0.002）、铬（p=0.022）、硼（p<0.001）及铍（p=0.005）水平均显著降低。除磷之外，上述其余矿物质在重度弱视儿童中的水平同样显著低于轻度弱视儿童及对照组（p<0.05）。
研究结论：弱视儿童存在部分无机元素的显著缺乏。无机元素、维生素B12及叶酸可能在弱视儿童的视觉发育中发挥重要作用。