Vitamin A Deficiency Disease

Subject: Community Health Nursing II

Overview

For kids, vitamin A is a crucial nutrient. Xerophthalmia is caused by a chronic lack of vitamin A in the diet. Malnutrition, measles, and inadequate vitamin A intake are its main causes. The clinical signs of vitamin A deficiency include night blindness, corneal xerosis, corneal ulceration, etc. Local ocular therapy, vitamin A therapy, and the treatment of underlying diseases are all options for treatment.

For kids, vitamin A is a crucial nutrient. According to estimates, one youngster in our nation loses their vision every day as a result of vitamin A deficiency. In addition, a lack of vitamin A increases a child's risk of developing diarrhea, respiratory infections, malnutrition, and other infectious diseases.

A persistent vitamin A deficiency in the diet causes the syndrome of xerophthalmia, which is more common in children between the ages of 6 and 36 months. It frequently has PEM in mind.

Causes

  • A diet deficient in carotenoids or vitamin A.
  • A young child with persistent diarrhea.
  • Malnutrition.
  • Measles.

Clinical Features

XN: Night blindness

X1A: Conjunctival xerosis

X1B: Bitot spots

X2: Corneal xerosis

X3A : Corneal ulceration

X3B: Corneal ulceration

XS: Corneal scar

Treatment

  • Artificial tears should be injected every 3–4 hours to treat conjunctival xerosis locally.
  • Vitamin A therapy: Following diagnosis, oral vitamin A is given to children aged 6 months, 6-12 months, and >1 year at doses of 50,000 IU, 1,00,000 IU, and 2,00,000 IU, respectively.
  • Treatment for the underlying condition: If a corneal ulcer is present, local antibiotic drops or ointments should be applied three times daily to prevent secondary infection.

Prevention

  • Foods high in carotene that are readily available locally should also be promoted as sources of vitamin A.
  • Oral vitamin A should be given twice to children who have measles, severe PEM, diarrhea, dehydration, or parasite infestation.
  • The mother who is expecting or nursing should consume adequate retinol.
  • food with vitamin A has been fortified is frequently consumed.
  • vitamin A nutrition instruction.

REFERENCE

Ambika Rai, Kabita Dahal. Community Health Nursing II. Kathmandu: Makalu Publication House, 2012 (reprint).

Dr.Suwal S.N. & Tuitui R. (2063) A Textbook of Community Health Nursing, 1st edition, Vidyarthi Prakashan (P). Ltd. Kamalpokhari, Kathmandu

Endres J.B & Rockwell R.E. (1985), 2nd edition, Food, Nutrition & the Young Child, Times Mirror/ Mosby College Publishing, Toronto, USA

MedicineNet. 1996. 2017 http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=11211

Medscape. 1994. 2017 http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/126004-overview
Things to remember
  • For kids, vitamin A is a crucial nutrient.
  • Xerophthalmia is caused by a chronic lack of vitamin A in the diet.
  • The causes include undernutrition, measles, inadequate vitamin A intake, and night blindness.
  • The symptoms include ulcer, corneal xerosis, and night blindness.
Questions and Answers

Caues of vitamin A deficiency diseases are:

  • Poor intake of vitamin A in daily diet
  • Malnutrition
  • Measles
  • Children suffering from prolonged diarrhea

Signs and Symptoms are:

  • Night blindness
  • Conjuctival xerosis
  • Bitot spot
  • Corneal ulceration
  • Corneal xerosis
  • Corneal scar.

Treatment

  1. Local ocular therapy : for conjunctival xerosis, artifical tears should be instilled every 3-4 hourly.
  2. Vitamin A therapy : immediately on diagnosis, oral vitamin A is administered in a dose of 50,000 IU, 1,00,000 IU and 2,00,000 IU in children aged < 6 months, 6-12 months and >1 year respectively.
  3. Treatment of underlying disease: local antibiotics drop or ointments should be applied three times a day to prevent secondary infection in event of presence of corneal ulcer.

 

Prevention

  •  Consumption of vitamin A rich food should be encouraged including locally available caretene rich food.
  • Children suffering from measles and severe PEM, diarrhea, dehydration, parasite infestation should be administered two dose of oral vitamin A.
  • The pregnant and lactating mother should get enough retinol in diet.
  • Fortificaqof commonly eaten food with vitamin A.
  • Nutritional education about vitamin A.

 

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