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Xerophthalmia in malnourished Sudanese children
M A Hussain1, S M Ahmed, E H el Sheikh
1Department of Paediatrics, Khartoum Teaching Hospital, Sudan.
Insights
A study on 213 Sudanese children found 29% had xerophthalmia, a vitamin A deficiency eye condition. Early detection and vitamin A therapy proved effective in treating night blindness and other severe eye symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Nutritional Science
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Xerophthalmia, a leading cause of preventable childhood blindness, is often linked to vitamin A deficiency.
- Malnutrition significantly increases the risk and severity of xerophthalmia in young children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and clinical manifestations of xerophthalmia in malnourished Sudanese children.
- To assess the effectiveness of vitamin A therapy in managing xerophthalmia-related symptoms, including night blindness.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 213 Sudanese children aged 4-60 months with diagnosed malnutrition.
- Clinical examination for signs of xerophthalmia, including conjunctival xerosis, Bitot's spots, corneal xerosis, ulceration, and scarring.
- Parental interviews to identify symptoms of night blindness, followed by therapeutic assessment with vitamin A.
Main Results:
- Sixty-three (29%) children presented with various stages of xerophthalmia.
- Conjunctival xerosis (56%) and Bitot's spots (19%) were the most common findings.
- Night blindness was reported in 4% of patients, all of whom showed significant improvement with vitamin A treatment.
Conclusions:
- Xerophthalmia is a significant public health concern among malnourished children in Sudan.
- Prompt diagnosis and vitamin A supplementation are crucial for preventing vision loss and treating xerophthalmia effectively.
Abstract:
Two hundred and thirteen Sudanese children (4-60 months old) with malnutrition were examined for signs of xerophthalmia. Sixty-three (29%) of these children were found to have varying stages of xerophthalmia. These included 35 (56%) patients with conjunctival xerosis, 12 (19%) with Bitot's spots, seven (11%) with corneal xerosis, seven (11%) with corneal ulceration and two (3%) with corneal scar. Direct questioning of the parents of these children revealed evidence of night blindness in nine (4%) of all patients. All nine patients had signs of xerophthalmia which showed good response to vitamin A therapy.