Assessment of Retinal and Choroidal Structure in Children Receiving Growth Hormone Replacement Therapy for Isolated Growth Hormone Deficiency.

Children with isolated growth hormone deficiency (IGHD) had significantly lower subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) compared to healthy controls.

• Mean SFCT was 333.7 ± 37.9 µm in the IGHD group versus 351.2 ± 34.3 µm in the control group.
• The difference was statistically significant (P = .01).
• Study group consisted of 56 patients with IGHD; control group consisted of 46 healthy children matched for age and sex.
• Groups were comparable in age, gender, axial length, best corrected visual acuity, and intraocular pressure (P > .50).

Luminal area, total choroidal area, and choroidal vascular index (CVI) were significantly lower in children with IGHD than in healthy controls.

• All three parameters showed statistically significant differences (P < .05).
• CVI was calculated as the ratio of luminal area to total choroidal area.
• Choroidal measurements were obtained using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT).
• Stromal area was also measured alongside luminal and total choroidal area.

Central macular thickness (CMT) and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness did not differ significantly between IGHD patients and healthy controls.

• No significant difference in CMT between study and control groups (P = .91).
• No significant difference in RNFL thickness between study and control groups (P = .78).
• These retinal parameters appeared unaffected by growth hormone deficiency in this pediatric cohort.

After 12 months of growth hormone replacement therapy, SFCT, luminal area, total choroidal area, and CVI increased significantly in IGHD patients.

• Significant increases in SFCT, luminal area, total choroidal area, and CVI were observed after 12 months of treatment (P < .05).
• CMT and RNFL thickness showed no significant change after 12 months of growth hormone replacement therapy (P > .05).
• These findings suggest growth hormone treatment is associated with choroidal development.

Enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) was used to assess both retinal and choroidal structural parameters in all participants.

• Parameters measured included CMT, RNFL thickness, SFCT, choroidal luminal area, stromal area, and total choroidal area.
• CVI was derived from these measurements as the ratio of luminal area to total choroidal area.
• All 56 IGHD patients and 46 healthy controls underwent this imaging protocol.