Vitamin 'A' Deficiency

Deficiency of Vitamin A in the body results / causes, various diseases.  If left un-treated, the condition results in total blindness among children.

Causes

• Poor intake of Vitamin A rich food like green leafy and yellow vegetables, fruits etc., by expectant and nursing mothers and infants.
• Frequent diarrhoeas
• Measles and other respiratory infections

 
Early signs

• The Infant’s skin and eyes appear dry and wrinkled.
• White portion of the eye appears lusterless and dull
• Grey elevated petches called bitot spots appear on the white portion of the eye
• Poor vision in dim light and at night
• The condition is curable at this stage if the patient is referred to the Doctor and treated promptly.

 
Prevention

Expectant and nursing mother should eat adequate Vitamin A rich food (green leafy vegetables etc.)

Treatment 

• Vitamin A Prophylaxis doses are given to the expectant and nursing mothers and infants.  The schedule is as under for the children.

Dose

First Dose
Second Dose
Third Dose
Fourth Dose
Fifth Dose

Age

9 months with Measles Vaccine
1 ½ years with DPT Booster Vaccine
2 years
2 ½ years
3 years

• Primary Health Centers also treat such patients
• All infants should be breastfed from the very first day of their birth