Abstract
Vitamin A deficiency is a major public health problem in most developing countries, contributing to a considerable proportion of preventable blindness in young children. The condition is particularly serious during the post-weaning stage in socially and economically deprived areas and is frequently associated with protein-energy malnutrition. The prevalence of vitamin A deficiency is very high in the countries of South East Asia. It is estimated that in India alone, there may be over one million cases of blindness arising from vitamin A deficiency. In human terms, the cost of blindness is incalculable. In economic terms, it is staggering. And yet this condition has not received the attention it deserves from public health workers. This is most unfortunate since vitamin A deficiency is easily preventable within the current economic framework of most developing countries.
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Belavady, B., Gopalan, C. (1959). Ind. J. med. Res., 47, 234.
Brenner, S., Roberts, L. J. (1943). Arch. Int. Med., 71, 474.
FAO/WHO (1967). Tech. Rep. Series No. 362.
Gopalan, C., Rao, N. (1968). Indian Council of Medical Research. Spec. rep. series No. 60.
Ingenbleek, Y., Schrieck, H., De Nayer, P., De Vissher, M. (1975). Metabolism, 24, 633.
lyengar, L., Apte, S. V. (1972). Br. J. Nutr., 27, 313.
Lala, V., Reddy, V. (1970). Am. J. Clin. Nutr., 23, 110.
McCord, A. B., Katsampes, C. P., Martin, F. J., Ulstrom, R. A., Tully, R. H., Keenan, A. J. (1948). Pediatrics, 2, 652.
Mejia, L. A., Hodges, R. E., Mohanram, M., Rucker, R. B., Arroyave, G. (1976). Fed. Proc., 35, 663.
Mohanram, M., Kulkarni, K. A., Reddy, V. (1977). Intern. J. Vit. Nutr. Res., 47, 389.
Muhilal, H., Glover, J. (1974). Br. J. Nutr., 32, 549.
N.I.H. (1963). Manual for nutrition surveys. Interdepartmental committee on nutrition for national defence. 2nd Ed. N. I. H. Bethesda, Maryland.
National Institute of Nutrition (1972). Annual Report. Hyderabad.
PAHO (1970). Report of a technical group meeting. Hypovitaminosis A in the Americas.
Pereira, S. M., Begum, A., Isaac, T., Dumm, M. E. (1967). Am. J. Clin. Nutr., 20, 297.
Rao, N. P., Singh, D., Swaminathan, M. C. (1969). Ind. Jour. med. Res., 57, 2132.
Rao, N. P., Rao, N. (1970). Am. J. Clin. Nutr., 23, 110.
Reddy, V., Mohanram, M., Raghuramulu, N. (1979). Acta Peadiatr. Scand., 68, 65.
Reddy, V., Sivakumar, B. (1972). Indian Pediat., 9, 307.
Reddy, V., Srikantia, S. C. (1966). Am. J. Clin. Nutr., 18, 105.
Sauter, J. (1976). Xerophthalmia and measles in Kenya. Drukkerij van Denderen B. V.
Gorningen. Sivakumar, B., Reddy, V. (1972). Br. J. Nutr., 27, 299.
Sivakumar, B., Reddy, V. (1975). J. trop. Med. Hyg., 78, 114.
Smith, F. R., Goodman, D. S., Zaklama, M. S., Gabr, M. K., EI Maraghy, S., Patwzrdhan, V. N. (1973). Am. J. Clin. Nutr., 26, 973.
Srikantia, S. G., Belavady, B. (1961). Ind. J. Med. Res., 49, 109.
Srikantia, S. G., Reddy, V. (1970). Am. J. Clin. Nutr., 23, 114.
Swaminathan, M. C., Susheela, T. P., Thimmayamma, B. V. S. (1970). Am. J. Clin. Nutr., 23, 119.
Swaminathan, M. C. (1971). Proc. First Asian Congress, Hyderabad, p. 696.
Venkatachalam, P. S., Belavady, B., Gopalan, C. (1962). J. Pediat., 61, 262.
W.H.O. (1976). Tech. Rep. Series No. 590, Vitamin A deficiency and xerophthalmia.
Wolf, G., Varandani, P. T. (1960). Biochem. Biophys. Acta., 43, 501.
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Copyright information
© 1981 H. M. Wallace and G. J. Ebrahim
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Reddy, V. (1981). Blindness due to vitamin A deficiency. In: Wallace, H.M., Ebrahim, G.J. (eds) Maternal and Child Health Around the World. Palgrave, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-05386-5_31
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-05386-5_31
Publisher Name: Palgrave, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-349-05388-9
Online ISBN: 978-1-349-05386-5
eBook Packages: Palgrave Social & Cultural Studies CollectionSocial Sciences (R0)