European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Introduction: Vitamin A is required throughout the lifecycle.Vit A deficiency and
Xerophthalmia occur throughout much of the developing world and are linked to undernourishment
and complicated by illness. In developing countries, it is estimated that 5 lakh
preschool children become blind every year owing to Vitamin A Deficiency and many of
them will die because of increased vulnerability to infections, especially measles, diarrhea
& pneumonia. In southern districts of Karnataka, including Shivamogga, the burden of
malnutrition, respiratory infection, diarrhea, measles and post-measles infections are high
leading to significant morbidity and mortality. Majority of the studies related with Vitamin A
deficiency are mostly concerned with clinical signs and symptoms of vitamin A deficiency.
However subclinical Vitamin A deficiency is often missed. The present study is aimed to
detect subclinical Vitamin A deficiency in children at risk, so that supplementation of
Vitamin A in early stage may bring down the burden of preventable morbidity and mortality.