Corneal ulceration due to vitamin A deficiency in Zellweger syndrome

Abstract

We report a case of vitamin A deficiency and secondary corneal ulcer in an infant with Zellweger syndrome. A 7-month-old infant with failure to thrive and malnutrition developed a corneal ulcer. Fortified antibiotic eye drops were administered without improvement. Vitamin A deficiency was suspected and confirmed. Supplementation with oral vitamin A decreased corneal opacification. Zellweger syndrome was later diagnosed. Vitamin A deficiency should be considered in the differential diagnosis of nonhealing corneal ulcers in children, especially those with systemic syndromes and failure to thrive.