Yavrum Fuat, Yavrum Begüm, Yüksel-Şükün Elmas, Sahinoglu-Keskek Nedime
FEBO, Ophthalmology Department, Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University Faculty of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey.
Pediatrics Department, Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University Faculty of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey.
Sci Rep. 2025 Jul 2;15(1):23117. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-09216-3.
Childhood malnutrition is a condition that affects a large population and can have significant implications for eye health. Our study aims to assess the impact of childhood malnutrition to the ocular surface by evaluating meibomian gland morphology and function. This study included 92 patients aged 6-18 years, with 52 diagnosed with malnutrition and 40 serving as healthy controls. Patients' nutritional status was determined based on body mass index (BMI) according to WHO criteria. Meibomian gland morphology and function were assessed using non-invasive imaging techniques and clinical evaluations along with the bloodwork results, including serum ferritin, hemoglobin, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and vitamin B12 levels. Children with malnutrition exhibited significantly lower mean BMI, hemoglobin, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, serum ferritin levels and significantly worse meibomian gland loss (MGL) compared to healthy controls (p < 0.001 for all). However, differences in mean non-invasive tear break-up time (NI-BUT) and vitamin B12 levels were not statistically significant. Subgroup analysis based on malnutrition severity revealed no significant differences in MGL or NI-BUT levels. Negative correlations were observed between BMI and MGL, as well as between MGL and serum ferritin and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (p < 0.001 for all). This study provides novel insights into the ocular consequences of malnutrition in children, highlighting significant alterations in meibomian gland morphology and function associated with nutritional deficiencies. These findings may inform targeted interventions to reduce ocular morbidity and improve the overall health outcomes of malnourished children.
儿童营养不良是一种影响大量人群的状况，对眼睛健康可能产生重大影响。我们的研究旨在通过评估睑板腺形态和功能来评估儿童营养不良对眼表的影响。本研究纳入了92名6至18岁的患者，其中52名被诊断为营养不良，40名作为健康对照。根据世界卫生组织标准，基于体重指数（BMI）确定患者的营养状况。使用非侵入性成像技术、临床评估以及血液检查结果（包括血清铁蛋白、血红蛋白、血清25-羟基维生素D和维生素B12水平）评估睑板腺形态和功能。与健康对照相比，营养不良的儿童平均BMI、血红蛋白、血清25-羟基维生素D、血清铁蛋白水平显著更低，睑板腺缺失（MGL）情况显著更差（所有p值均<0.001）。然而，平均非侵入性泪膜破裂时间（NI-BUT）和维生素B12水平的差异无统计学意义。基于营养不良严重程度的亚组分析显示，MGL或NI-BUT水平无显著差异。观察到BMI与MGL之间以及MGL与血清铁蛋白和25-羟基维生素D水平之间存在负相关（所有p值均<0.001）。本研究为儿童营养不良的眼部后果提供了新的见解，突出了与营养缺乏相关的睑板腺形态和功能的显著改变。这些发现可能为有针对性的干预措施提供依据，以降低眼部发病率并改善营养不良儿童的整体健康状况。
