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Vitamin A intake and xerophthalmia among Indian children
D W Khandait1, N D Vasudeo, S P Zodpey
1Government Medical College, Nagpur, India.
Insights
Xerophthalmia affects 8.7% of Indian children under six. Low vitamin A intake, especially below a UPF score of 120, significantly increases their risk of developing this eye condition.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Nutrition Science
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Xerophthalmia, a leading cause of preventable childhood blindness, is a significant public health concern in developing nations.
- Vitamin A deficiency remains a prevalent nutritional issue, particularly affecting young children in low-income communities.
- Understanding the relationship between dietary vitamin A intake and xerophthalmia prevalence is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of xerophthalmia in Indian children under six years of age.
- To assess the dietary vitamin A intake among this vulnerable population.
- To investigate the association between vitamin A consumption patterns and xerophthalmia.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted in urban slums of Nagpur, India.
- 1094 children under six years were assessed for xerophthalmia using WHO criteria.
- Dietary vitamin A intake was evaluated using a one-year recall method and the Usual Pattern of Food (UPF) consumption score.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of xerophthalmia was found to be 8.7%.
- Over 90% of children consumed vitamin A below recommended levels (UPF score < 210).
- Xerophthalmia prevalence decreased as the UPF score increased, indicating a dose-response relationship.
Conclusions:
- Children with a UPF score below 120 demonstrated a high risk for xerophthalmia.
- Even children with UPF scores above 120, though below recommended levels, had a comparatively lower risk.
- Dietary vitamin A assessment is vital for identifying children at risk and preventing xerophthalmia.
Objective:
To estimate prevalence of xerophthalmia and to assess dietary intake of vitamin A in Indian children aged under 6 y.
Design:
Cross sectional study.
Study Setting:
Urban slums under Urban Health Centre affiliated to Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Government Medical College, Nagpur, India.
Participants:
The study included 1094 all children under 6 y of age, from two randomly selected urban slums.
Methods:
Xerophthalmia was diagnosed on the basis of ocular signs and symptoms (WHO recommendations). Dietary intake of vitamin A was assessed by using one year recall method recommended by International Vitamin A Consultative Group.
Results:
Prevalence of xerophthalmia was estimated to be 8.7%. Nine hundred and ninety-five (90.9%) study subjects were identified as inhabitants consuming dietary vitamin A at below recommended levels. (UPF score < 210). Five hundred and ninety-three (54.2%) study subjects were consuming dietary vitamin A at approximately less than 200 RE/d (UPF score < 120) while 402 (36.2%) were consuming approximately 200-300 RE/d (UPF score 120-210). The prevalence of xerophthalmia was found to be decreasing as the score of usual pattern of food consumption (UPF) increased.
Conclusions:
Children with a dietary intake represented by a UPF score of less than 120 were at high risk of developing xerophthalmia, whereas, those consuming vitamin A equal to a UPF score greater than 120 were at comparatively less risk despite being below the recommended levels.