Vitamin A deficiency
Metabolism
Clinical features
- Xeropthalmia
- night blindness
- xerosis
- ulceration
- necrosis
- Immunodeficiency
- increased risk of infection especially measles
WHO classificiation of Xeropthalmia
| Primary signs | Secondary signs |
|---|---|
| X1 A Conjunctival Xerosis | XN Night blindness |
| X1 B Bitot spots | XS Corneal Scar |
| X2 Corneal Xerosis | XF Fundus Changes |
| X3 A Corneal Ulcers <1/3 Cornea | |
| X3 B Corneal Ulcers >1/3 Cornea |
Treatment
Severe deficiency with Xerophthalmia
- Infants : 7,500-15,000 U/day IM f/b oral 5,000 to 10,000 U/day for 10 days
- Children <8 yrs : 5,000 to 10,000 U/kg/day for 5 days or until recovery
- Children >8 yrs : Oral 5,00,000 U/day for 3 days, then 50,000 U/day for 14 days, then 10,000 -20,000 U/day for 2 months
Deficiency without corneal changes
- Infants : 1,00,000 U/day oral q4 to 6 months
- Children <8 yrs : 2,00,000 U/day oral q4 to 6 months
- Children >8 yrs : 1,00,000 U/day for 3 days, then 50,000 U/day for 10 days,
Malabsorption
- Infants : 7,500-15,000 U/day IM f/b oral 5,000 to 10,000 U/day for 10 days
- Children <8 yrs : 5,000 to 10,000 oral U/kg/day for 5 days or until recovery
- Children >8 yrs : Oral 5,00,000 U/day for 3 days, then 50,000 U/day for 14 days, then 10,000 -20,000 U/day for 2 months