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