© 1993 by Oxford University Press
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Prevalence of Xerophthalmia and Efficacy of Vitamin A Prophylaxis in Preventing Xerophthalmia Co-existing with Malnutrition in Rural Indian Children
Foods and Nutrition Department, Faculty of Home Science, MS University of Baroda Baroda 390 002, India
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Data of 4302 children, 0–6 years old were analysed to study the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency and the efficacy of vitamin A prophylaxis in preventing xerophthalmia co-existing with malnutrition. Manifestation of ocular signs of vitamin A deficiency were seen in 10 per cent children. The prevalence of xerophthalmia was higher in the normal and mild to moderately malnourished children, and lowest in the severely malnourished ones. The ability of vitamin A prophylaxis to curb xerophthalmia was greatest at the extreme ends of the nutritional grade spectrum. These findings have important implications for the existing national Vitamin A Prophylaxis Programme, and suggest that: (a) normal and mild to moderately malnourished children less than 6 years old, should be preferably considered for vitamin A mega dosing; (b) in the management of protein energy malnutrition, vitamin A status of the children should be monitored; and (c) the coverage should be improved as most children are in the mild and moderate degrees of malnutrition.