Pediatric Pseudotumor Cerebri Associated With Low Serum Levels of Vitamin A.
The aim of this study was to describe the association between pediatric pseudotumor cerebri and low serum vitamin A levels. We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 6 children (5 boys, 1 girl; mean age 8 years) with increased intracranial pressure and low serum vitamin A levels (mean 16.0 ± 8.8 µg/dL). The etiology of the vitamin A deficiency was a restricted diet (2 children), intestinal malabsorption caused by celiac disease (2 children), and undetermined cause (2 children). Only 1 child had ocular signs of xerosis. Poor visual acuity at presentation and lower serum vitamin A levels were associated with a poor visual outcome and development of optic atrophy. In conclusion, pseudotumor cerebri in children can be associated with vitamin A deficiency even when other manifestations of xerophthalmia do not exist. Early recognition of this condition and appropriate therapy can prevent blindness.
1Department of Ophthalmology, Sourasky Tel Aviv Medical Center, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Gad
G
Dotan
Michaella
M
Goldstein
Chaim
C
Stolovitch
Anat
A
Kesler
celiac disease; hypovitaminosis A; intracranial hypertension; malabsorption; optic atrophy; pseudotumor cerebri; vitamin A deficiency