Share

Overweight kids at risk of blindness

Some overweight or obese children are at increased risk for a brain condition that can lead to blindness, a new study shows.

The risk of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) - also called pseudotumor cerebri - is especially high in older white girls, according to the Kaiser Permanente researchers.

People with the condition have increased pressure around the brain that is not caused by other diseases. Symptoms include headache, blurred vision, nausea and eye movement abnormalities. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension can lead to blindness in up to 10% of patients, particularly if not diagnosed and treated promptly.

What the study found

The researchers analysed data from 900 000 children, aged two to 19, and identified 78 cases of idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Eighty-five percent of the patients with the condition were girls aged 11 to 19, nearly half were white and 73% were overweight or obese.

Compared to normal weight children, the risk was 16 times higher in extremely obese children, six times higher in moderately obese children and 3.5 times higher in overweight children. The study is published May 24 in the Journal of Pediatrics.

"Childhood obesity has again been shown to be associated with a serious disease," study author Dr. Sonu Brara, of the Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center Neurology Department, said.

"This research is the strongest evidence to date that obesity is associated with IIH in children - it also suggests that the childhood obesity epidemic is likely to lead to increased morbidity from IIH, including blindness," Brara added.

Read more:
Living with eye problems

More information

The U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke has more about idiopathic intracranial hypertension.


(Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved.)

This article has not necessarily been edited by Health24.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE