Lin Chen1, Xinke Chen1, Qin Xiang1, Yuqiang Zheng2, Lianhong Pi1, Qin Liu1, Jun Xiao1, Ning Ke1, Jing Fang3. 1. Department of Ophthalmology, Children's Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China. 2. Department of Medicine Laboratory, Children's Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China. 3. Department of Ophthalmology, Children's Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China. Electronic address: JingF1974@126.com.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To detect risk factors that may be related to chalazia in children in southwest China. DESIGN: Prospective case-control study. METHODS: The case group, 88 children with chalazia, was divided into 2 subgroups. One had 48 children 6 months to 6 years of age (defined as young children), and the other had 40 children 7 to 12 years of age (defined as older children). The control group consisted of 40 young children and 32 older children. Clinical findings for patients were recorded. Serum was tested for concentrations of vitamin A, vitamin D3, and immunoglobulin E. RESULTS: World Health Organization definitions were used for vitamin A deficiency (< 0.7 μmol/L) and marginal vitamin A deficiency (0.7 to 1.05 μmol/L). The average level of serum vitamin A in the case group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < .001). Analyses failed to find significant differences in vitamin D3 or immunoglobulin E levels between the case and control groups. The average vitamin A level in young children with multiple chalazia (0.65 ± 0.12 μmol/L) was low. Blepharitis was less prevalent than low serum vitamin A levels in the young child subgroup (odds ratios, 8.5 and 96.9, respectively), but higher than in older children (odds ratios, 17.5 and 9.0, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Low serum vitamin A is associated with a chalazion in young children in southwest China, especially young children with multiple chalazia.
PURPOSE: To detect risk factors that may be related to chalazia in children in southwest China. DESIGN: Prospective case-control study. METHODS: The case group, 88 children with chalazia, was divided into 2 subgroups. One had 48 children 6 months to 6 years of age (defined as young children), and the other had 40 children 7 to 12 years of age (defined as older children). The control group consisted of 40 young children and 32 older children. Clinical findings for patients were recorded. Serum was tested for concentrations of vitamin A, vitamin D3, and immunoglobulin E. RESULTS: World Health Organization definitions were used for vitamin A deficiency (< 0.7 μmol/L) and marginal vitamin A deficiency (0.7 to 1.05 μmol/L). The average level of serum vitamin A in the case group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < .001). Analyses failed to find significant differences in vitamin D3 or immunoglobulin E levels between the case and control groups. The average vitamin A level in young children with multiple chalazia (0.65 ± 0.12 μmol/L) was low. Blepharitis was less prevalent than low serum vitamin A levels in the young child subgroup (odds ratios, 8.5 and 96.9, respectively), but higher than in older children (odds ratios, 17.5 and 9.0, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Low serum vitamin A is associated with a chalazion in young children in southwest China, especially young children with multiple chalazia.