Vitamin a deficiency in children under 6 months
Varughese, S.
Tropical Doctor 37(1): 59-60
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 0049-4755 PMID: 17326899 DOI: 10.1258/004947507779952087Document Number: 554007
A retrospective study was conducted to investigate the unusual increase of blinding keratomalacia among infants aged <6 months in a hospital in Delhi, India. The records of children with acute blinding vitamin A deficiency seen in the hospital during May 2002-April 2003 were analysed. In addition, the age, feeding practices, concurrent infection, and nature and severity of vitamin A deficiency were noted. Seven children with corneal xerosis or keratomalacia were identified. Of these, 5 were aged 6 months or less. The mean age of the group was 7.57 months. Only one infant (10 months old) showed the typical pattern of vitamin A deficiency following measles infection. All were born at term except for one. Three had bilateral keratomalacia, and another one had keratomalacia in one eye and xerosis in the other eye. None of the infants were breastfed. They were fed dilute, fresh cow's milk. It is suggested that the needs of this vulnerable group should be addressed, possibly in terms of vitamin A supplementation, to meet the Vision 20/20 by the year 2020.