Study of clinical profile of vitamin-a deficiency in malnourished children visiting a medical college hospital

  • Dr Anandakumar T S Sri Siddhartha Medical College and Hospital, Agalakote, Tumkur, Karnataka, India.
  • Dr Kumar G V Sri Siddhartha Medical College and Hospital, Agalakote, Tumkur, Karnataka, India.
  • Dr Viswanathakumar H M Sri Siddhartha Medical College and Hospital, Agalakote, Tumkur, Karnataka, India.
Keywords: Vitamin- A deficiency, Conjunctival xerosis, Bitot spots

Abstract

Introduction: Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) disorders exist as a public health nutrition problem among preschool-aged children in 118 developing countries worldwide, with the South-East Asian Region harboring the maximum number of cases.

Materials and methods: The present study was conducted on 100 children with protein energy malnutrition. Clinical assessment was done by noting the symptoms and ophthalmic signs of vitamin A deficiency in both eyes and classified according to W.H.O. classification.

Results: Majority of the children were below 6 years of age (82%). Pre-school children were affected the most (84.7%). In this study 76% of the children had one or other infections. 52% had infections like respiratory infections (20%), diarrhea (19%), measles (10%) and urinary tract infections (3%). Children with acute infections were found to have severe form of Vitamin A deficiency more often (28.8%). Out of 100 children 17% were grade –I, 23% were grade-II, 32% were grade-III and 28% were grade IV malnourished according to IAP classification. Conjunctival xerosis was the most common sign (45.83%) of all Vitamin A deficiency cases followed by Bitot spots were seen in 30.55% of cases.

Conclusion: Supplementation of the vitamin A rich food to the at risk mothers and children, proper weaning practices, eliminations of infections by immunization, implementation of various nutritional programs and regular deworming will go a long way in prevention of Vitamin A deficiency in children.

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Study of clinical profile of vitamin-a deficiency in malnourished children visiting a medical college hospital
CITATION
DOI: 10.17511/ijpr.2016.i05.03
Published: 2016-05-31
How to Cite
Dr Anandakumar T S, Dr Kumar G V, & Dr Viswanathakumar H M. (2016). Study of clinical profile of vitamin-a deficiency in malnourished children visiting a medical college hospital. Pediatric Review: International Journal of Pediatric Research, 3(5), 289-292. https://doi.org/10.17511/ijpr.2016.i05.03
Section
Original Article