Study of clinical profile of vitamin-a deficiency in malnourished children visiting a medical college hospital
Journal Title: Pediatric Review: International Journal of Pediatric Research - Year 2016, Vol 3, Issue 5
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.
Authors and Affiliations
Anandakumar T S, Kumar G V, Viswanathakumar H
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP224841
- DOI 10.17511
- Views 150
- Downloads 0
Clinical, laboratory profile & antibiotic use in first time Wheezers in the tertiary care centre in the rural area
Background: Acute bronchiolitis is primarily due to acute viral infection. There is need for the clinicians to adopt judicious use of antibiotics with understanding of the aetiopathogenesis clinical course, complication...
Etiological study of seizures among paediatric age group (1-18 years) in tertiary care medical college hospital
Introduction: Seizure is a common problem evaluated in paediatric emergency departments. A seizure or convulsion is a paroxysmal, time limited change in motor activity and/or behaviour that results from abnormal electric...
Analysis of profile of childhood kerosene poisoning in a tertiary care medical college hospital
Background: Children are very vulnerable to acute accidental poisoning. One of the most important poisoning in children is accidental ingestion of kerosene which is a common household substance. Its prevention plays a ma...
Morbidity and mortality predictors of septic shock in children
Lactate is the most commonly used predictor in septic shock. High lactate levels are associated with increased mortality. Septic shock is the most common type of shock with around 50% mortality. Mortality increases by ne...
Extensive Mongolian spots: a clinical sign merits special attention for gm1-Gangliosidosis
GM1-gangliosidosis (GM1) is one of the metabolic storage diseases, of which a differential diagnosis requires an array of biochemical assays to determine the enzyme deficiency. This approach is not only time-consuming an...