Vitamin A Deficiency
Introduction
Vitamin A is essential for the formation of photosensitive pigments like rhodopsin. It is also required to maintain liver functions, i.e. Synthesis of glycoproteins.
Vitamin A deficiency is also known as hypovitaminosis A. Its disease is common in underdeveloped countries. Blindness is the most adverse and leading effect of lack of vitamin A. Billions of malnutrition children suffered from blindness due to its deficiency.
Along with damaging vision, it also causes immunodeficiency in the body and causes various skin and respiratory infections. WHO claims that developed countries are free from such an epidemic, while underdeveloped countries are the ones that are most affected by it.
Causes of Vitamin A deficiency
Vitamin A deficiency results from hepatic disorders and improper metabolism of fat in the body. Improper absorption of iron may lead to vitamin A insufficiency. Increased absorption of alcohol can cause liver toxicity which leads to vitamin A deficiency.
Improper metabolism of fats and fatty acids causes diseases like cystic fibrosis, inflammation of the pancreas and biliary obstruction, leading to insufficient absorption of vitamin A thus causes its inadequacy in the body.
Protein deficiency or malnutrition also caused vitamin A deficiency. Lesser protein-energy causes the Synthesis of retinol-binding receptors to suppress, resulting in reduced photoreceptor retinol uptake that causes ocular defects.
Signs and Symptoms of VAD
Inadequate intake of vitamin A in the diet causes its deficiency. Sufficient intake of vitamin supplements in our regular diet can prevent it.
Following symptoms can help to detect Vitamin A deficiency:
- Ocular defects like impaired vision, xeropthalmia
- Dry mouth
- Hypersensitivity reactions like rashes on the body
- Respiratory infections
- Xeropthalmia
- Improper blood clotting and wound healing
- Skin problems like acne
- Impaired blood cells production in organs like the liver and spleen
- Infertility in man and woman
- Nyctalopia or night blindness
Diagnosis of VAD
Clinical tests are done to find out vitamin A deficiency. Serum tests are most commonly done in order to find the quantity of vitamin A. If the serum level falls below 30–65 mg/dL, it causes vitamin A deficiency. We do Conjunctival impression cytology to find out xerostomia, which ultimately shows scarcity of vitamin A in the body.
HPLC is the most common and reliable method to evaluate the quantity of vitamin D in the body. Evaluation of plasma retinyl ester levels, plasma and urinary retinoic acid levels, plasma retinol levels and vitamin A in mother’s milk is the standard laboratory test we do to diagnose hypovitaminosis A.
Prevention and Treatment for VAD
Vitamin A supplements are present in oral and in solid form. Morbidity in children less than age five can be reduced if proper vitamin A levels must be maintained in the body. Intake of vitamin A is entirely safe. It does not cause diseases like polio or measles. Vitamin A capsules are manufactured that are easy to store at cold temperatures. These capsules are used as a vaccine to prevent its scarcity in the body.
NIDs maintain vitamin A levels in children. Maternal dietary vitamin A supplements are beneficial for both breastfed children and lactating mothers.
Caution: Excess is still prevented in pregnant women because it may cause miscarriage.
Fortification of food may be semi-solid like oily or dried can be given to cope with vitamin A. Fatty foods like retinol ester, retinyl palmitate, and retinyl acetate are also vitamin A vehicles. Cereals and liquid or Powdered milk are also processed as a source of vitamin A.
Animal meals like animal liver, i.e. cod liver oil, are an essential vitamin A reservoir, and non-animal meals like citrus fruits are a primary vitamin A source.
So, the easy solution to prevent Vitamin A deficiency is to add these supplements to our regular diet.