Classification of 154 clinical cases of vitamin A deficiency in children (0-15 years) in a tertiary hospital in North West Frontier Province Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To share our experience of 154 cases of clinical vitamin A deficiency in Pakistani children.

METHODS AND RESULTS: The data on age, sex, date of presentation and clinical stage of vitamin A deficiency was recorded. A total of 154 children aged 0-15 years suffering from clinical vitamin A deficiency (xerophthalmia) were recorded. One hundred and twenty three (79.9%) children were 0-6 years with 99 (64.3%) male children. Blinding xerophthalmia (corneal xerosis, corneal ulcers ad keratomalacia) was present in 94 (61%) children. Thirty nine percent children presented in summer, 28% in autumn, 20% in winter and 13% in spring respectively.

CONCLUSION: This report indicates that clinical cases of vitamin A deficiency in children do occur in Pakistan. Children under 6 years of age are the most vulnerable age group and there is a seasonal variation in presentation. Both life and sight of these children are at risk. Community based studies may be helpful to identify the magnitude of the problem and possible risk factors at national, provincial and district levels.