title: Ophthalmic manifestations of vitamin A and D deficiency in two autistic teenagers: case reports and a review of the literature.
abstract: We describe the cases of 2 autistic children with ophthalmic and systemic manifestations of vitamin A deficiency due to food faddism. Although vitamin A deficiency is common in the developing world, reports in developed societies are rare. Our patients presented over a 1-year period. The patients were 14 and 13 years old at the time of presentation and were both found to have marked features of vitamin A deficiency related to unusual dietary habits. Anterior segment signs of xerophthalmia were present in both patients. In addition, patient 1 showed evidence of a rod-predominant retinopathy, which resolved with vitamin A supplementation. Due to its rare occurrence, hypovitaminosis A must be highlighted and anticipated in this cohort.
authors.affiliation: Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Duignan
authors.affiliation: Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kenna
authors.affiliation: Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Rosemarie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.affiliation: Mater Private Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fitzsimon
authors.affiliation: Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin, Ireland ; Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Donal
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brosnahan
keywords: Autism; Bitot's spots; Phrynoderma; Vitamin A; Xerophthalmia