A B
C D E
F G H I J K L
M N O P Q R T U
V W X Y Z
Vitamin A deficiency or night blindness
Vitamin A deficiency is a serious health
problem in India. Diseases due to vitamin A deficiency
include night blindness, conjunctival xerosis (dry and
lusterless white surface of the eye), Bitot's spots, corneal
xerosis (corneal dryness) or ulceration, keratomalacia
(melting of cornea) and corneal scars.
What
are the symptoms of Vitamin A deficiency or night blindness?
Night blindness: The first symptom of xerophthalmia
is an inability to see after dark or in a dark room.
Bitot's spots: These are accumulations of foamy,
cheesy material in the eye. They often occur along with
night blindness, though they may differ in size, location
and shape.
Corneal xerosis/ulceration: The cornea becomes dry.
If left untreated, this can lead to an ulcer of the cornea
within hours.
Keratomalacia: This can lead to perforation of the
cornea and corneal ulcer. Keratomalacia destroys the cornea,
which results in permanent blindness.
Corneal scar: A dry corneal surface is sensitive to
infection. A corneal ulcer due to bacteria or fungal
infection is likely to result in scarring of the cornea. If
treated early the corneal scar will remain small and not
cause significant loss of vision.
What are the causes?
Dietary deficiency is the primary cause of vitamin A
deficiency. Poor intake of foods rich in vitamin A leads to
diarrhea, respiratory infections, measles and other diseases
among children. This sets off a wild cycle of infections, in
turn leading to vitamin A deficiency.
Vitamin A deficiency leads to xerophthalmia, or dryness of
the eye, which damages the eye and can cause blindness.
Measles is also commonly associated with vitamin A
deficiency and malnutrition.
What
kind of treatment is prescribed for this condition?
- Vitamin A deficiency
must be prevented right from birth by giving drops
periodically to children until the age of five.
- Children diagnosed with
vitamin A deficiency must be given a single oral dose of
200,000 IU of vitamin A immediately. This should be
followed by another dose one to four weeks later.
- Use antibiotic ointments
prescribed by doctors.
- Eat foods rich in
vitamin A, such as dark green leafy, vegetables, yellow
vegetables and fruits like carrots, pumpkin, sweet
potato, papaya and mango.
- Children suffering
frequently from diarrhea, acute respiratory infections
and measles should be monitored and given preventive
doses of vitamin A.
- Children with
keratomalacia should be hospitalized, as intensive
nutritional rehabilitation may be essential to save the
child's life.
- Between the age of four
to six months, the child should be introduced to
semisolid foods rich in vitamin A, such as dark green
leafy vegetables, yellow vegetables and fruits.
- Pre-school children
should include dairy products, cheese, curd, butter,
liver, eggs, oil and fat in their daily diet.
- Consumption of food rich
in vitamin A is essential during pregnancy and
lactation.
Outcome
Early identification and proper management, along
with a comprehensive vaccination program, can help prevent
blindness due to vitamin A deficiency. Corneal scars and
blindness can be prevented if identified and treated early.
Measles can be controlled by vaccination programs.
Note: Vitamin A deficiency in
children can cause blindness or death.
Eat healthy foods to prevent deficiency.
|
