Vitamin A Deficiency
Vitamin A deficiency is more common in areas where green leafy and yellow vegetables and fruits are not usual components of the diet. This deficiency is also associated with protein- calorie deficiency, especially kwashiorkor.
Sources of preformed vitamin A are the following:
– animal liver, kidneys, fat, human and cow’s milk, butter, eggyolk, fish liver oils
Provitamin A or the various carotenoids especially B-carotene are present in yellow sweet potato, papaya, squash, carrots, mangoes, tiesa, oranges, tomatoes, bananas, camote tops, kangkong tops, sili leaves and malunggay Sources of preformed vitamin A are the following: animal liver, kidneys, fat, human and cow’s milk, butter, eggyolk, fish liver oils
Vitamin A deficiency will have its principal manifestations in the eye. Nyctalopia or night blindness is an early symptom and then may progress to photophobia. Clinically, there is xerosis conjunctivae which consists of thickening, loss of luster producing frequent blinking of the eyes. Bitot’s spots may develop which are well demarcated, superficial, dry, grayish, silvery or chalk-like foamy plaques and are seen situated lateral to the cornea.
Corneal xerosis or xerophthalmia may occur wherein the cornea is hazy or opaque with a bluish milky appearance. Later, corneal ulcers may occur in the form of small erosions with opaque areola.
As the cornea becomes soft and gelatinous, keratomalacia may develop which consists of metaplasia and degeneration of corneal epithelium producing opacities. And, because of this opacities, blindness may occur.
Vitamin A deficiency will also manifest in the skin as xerosis due to generalized dryness with branny desquamation or scaling. Other symptoms of vitamin A deficiency are:
– apathy
– mental retardation
– growth retardation
– faulty epiphyseal bone formation
– defective enamel of the teeth and
– signs of benign increased intracranial pressure
“It is important for children to have a regular thorough physical examination so that early detection of vitamin A deficiency will be seen. In areas where vitamin A deficiency is prevalent,
The World Health Organization recommends routine administration of 100,000 IU orally every three months. Malnourished children (1 – 6 years old) are given 250,000 IU of vitamin A orally once every 6 months.”