Influence of puberty on retinal microcirculation in children with type 1 diabetes without retinopathy using optical coherence tomography angiography

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the influence of pubertal status on the results of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D). METHODS: We enrolled 167 consecutive children with T1D. Retinal superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP) vessel density data underwent analysis. We divided the study population into three subgroups depending on the pubertal status. RESULTS: Analysis of the prepubertal and pubertal subgroups revealed statistically significant differences in foveal thickness (FT) (p < 0.05) and foveal SCP (p < 0.02). Analyzing subgroups of the prepubertal and postpubertal children, we observed statistically significant differences in FT (p < 0.03), whole SCP (p < 0.02), and foveal SCP (p < 0.02). Comparison of the pubertal and postpubertal subjects revealed differences in parafoveal DCP (p < 0.003). In the groups matched depending on diabetes duration, we observed differences between prepubertal, pubertal, and postpubertal children in FT, PFT, and parafoveal SCP and DCP. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that in a cohort of pubertal children with a short duration of diabetes, alterations in retinal vessel density occur early and progress during puberty.