Who is most at risk of vitamin A deficiency?
Those at highest risk of deficiency are pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, infants and children. Cystic fibrosis and chronic diarrhea may also increase your risk of deficiency. Here are 8 signs and symptoms of vitamin A deficiency.
Is vitamin A deficiency a public health problem?
Vitamin A deficiency is a public health problem in more than half of all countries, especially those in Africa and South-East Asia. The most severe effects of this deficiency are seen in young children and pregnant women in low-income countries.
How common is vitamin A deficiency in children?
The World Health Organization has classified vitamin A deficiency as a public health problem affecting about one third of children aged 6 to 59 months in 2013, with the highest rates in sub-Saharan Africa (48 per cent) and South Asia (44 per cent).
What is the global prevalence of vitamin A deficiency (VAD)?
Global vitamin A deficiency estimates in young children are decreasing but have been approximated at 30% in children less than 5 years of age and account for about 2% of all deaths in this age group.[18] Pregnant and lactating women are also at increased risk of VAD due to increased daily requirements.
What age group is most affected by vitamin A deficiency?
The World Health Organization has classified vitamin A deficiency as a public health problem affecting about one third of children aged 6 to 59 months in 2013, with the highest rates in sub-Saharan Africa (48 per cent) and South Asia (44 per cent).
What groups of people are at risk of vitamin deficiency?
Conclusion. Profound vitamin D deficiency is particularly common among: infants and children aged less than 5 years, pregnant and breastfeeding women, people aged over 65 years, people who have limited exposure to sunshine, and people with darker skin.
What causes vitamin A deficiency in adults?
Vitamin A deficiency can result from inadequate intake, fat malabsorption, or liver disorders. Deficiency impairs immunity and hematopoiesis and causes rashes and typical ocular effects (eg, xerophthalmia, night blindness).
What deficiencies are girls at higher risk of?
Women are more likely to suffer from nutritional deficiencies than men are, for reasons including women's reproductive biology, low social status, poverty, and lack of education.
What population group has the highest risk for vitamin K deficiency?
Why are babies more likely to have vitamin K deficiency and to get VKDB? All infants, regardless of sex, race, or ethnic background, are at higher risk for VKDB until they start eating regular foods, usually at age 4-6 months, and until the normal intestinal bacteria start making vitamin K.
Where is vitamin A deficiency most common?
Vitamin A deficiency is a public health problem in more than half of all countries, especially those in Africa and South-East Asia. The most severe effects of this deficiency are seen in young children and pregnant women in low-income countries.
What happens if you have vitamin A deficiency?
Too little vitamin A can lead to inflamed skin, night blindness, infertility, delayed growth and respiratory infections. People with wounds and acne may have lower blood levels of vitamin A and benefit from treatment with higher doses of the vitamin.
What condition is caused by lack of vitamin A?
(Retinol Deficiency) Vitamin A deficiency can result from inadequate intake, fat malabsorption, or liver disorders. Deficiency impairs immunity and hematopoiesis and causes rashes and typical ocular effects (eg, xerophthalmia, night blindness). Diagnosis is based on typical ocular findings and low vitamin A levels.
What population is affected by vitamin D deficiency?
Vitamin D deficiency is the most common medical condition worldwide. An estimated one billion people in the world have vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency (1). The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among adult population was reported to be 14-59% with a higher prevalence in Asian countries (19-21).
What US group is at the highest risk for vitamin D deficiency quizlet?
Blacks, females, and overweight children are most at risk for vitamin D deficiencies.
Are most people deficient in vitamins?
50 percent of Americans are deficient in vitamin A, vitamin C, and magnesium. More 50 percent of the general population is vitamin D deficient, regardless of age. 90 percent of Americans of color are vitamin D deficient. Approximately 70 percent of elderly Americans are vitamin D deficient.
What is the most common etiology of vitamin A deficiency?
In resource-poor regions of the world, insufficient nutrition complicated by chronic inflammation from regular gastrointestinal (GI) infections leads to frequent micronutrient deficiencies and is the most common etiology of vitamin A deficiency worldwide.[11] .
How much vitamin A is deficiency in children?
Global vitamin A deficiency estimates in young children are decreasing but have been approximated at 30% in children less than 5 years of age and account for about 2% of all deaths in this age group.[18] . Pregnant and lactating women are also at increased risk of VAD due to increased daily requirements.
Why is VAD rare?
Conversely, VAD is extraordinarily rare in the developed world due to the abundance of foods rich in vitamin A, better sanitation, water, and healthcare. Vitamin A deficiency cases in the developed world are typically due to various primary and secondary intestinal malabsorptive pathologies.
Why is VAD a result of pancreatic insufficiency?
Pancreatic insufficiency can result in VAD due to poor exocrine function and insufficient production of the hydrolases required for absorption. [16] Bariatric surgeries, designed to prevent fat absorption by bypassing the duodenum, consequently cause insufficient absorption of needed fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamin A. Premature neonates are at risk for vitamin A deficiency due to an immature GI tract without efficient vitamin A absorption, minimal vitamin A stores, and increased needs in a time of rapid development. [17]
How long does it take for vitamin A deficiency to show improvement?
Treatment at any stage of severity can show improvement within a week. [48]
What is the ratio of beta-carotene to retinol?
A 12 to 1 ratio of beta-carotene to retinol absorption in a diet of mixed fruits and vegetables is the estimated conversion used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.[7] Many populations in developing countries rarely ingest meat, dairy, or carotenoid-rich vegetables leading to difficulty obtaining sufficient quantities of vitamin A.
What is vitamin A?
Continuing Education Activity. Vitamin A is a lipid-soluble compound with several biologic actions to aid in vision and cellular differentiation. The prevalence of vitamin A deficiency is rarely seen in the first world, nutrient-rich countries; however, it can affect those with inflammatory bowel disease and post-bariatric surgery.
How many countries have two doses of vitamin A?
Despite the potential benefits of this key child survival intervention, only 41 per cent of targeted children were reached in 2020, with West and Central Africa achieving the lowest coverage at 29 per cent. Of 64 countries deemed ‘priorities’ [3] for national-level vitamin A supplementation programmes, 48 had two-dose coverage estimates available for 2020. Only 11 countries, achieved two-dose coverage of 80 per cent or more in 2020. Future efforts will need to focus on strengthening systems so that more children can be protected.
What is the most common cause of blindness in children?
Vitamin A deficiency is the leading cause of preventable childhood blindness and increases the risk of death from common childhood illnesses such as diarrhoea. Periodic, high-dose vitamin A supplementation is a proven, low-cost intervention [1] which has been shown to reduce all-cause mortality by 12 to 24 per cent [2], and is therefore an important programme in support of efforts to reduce child mortality. The World Health Organization has classified vitamin A deficiency as a public health problem affecting about one third of children aged 6 to 59 months in 2013, with the highest rates in sub-Saharan Africa (48 per cent) and South Asia (44 per cent).
Where is vitamin A deficiency prevalent?
Vitamin A deficiency is prevalent in developing nations but rare in America and other developed nations.
Why is not getting enough vitamin A bad for you?
Not getting enough vitamin A may be to blame for the development of eczema and other skin problems ( 4 ).
What are the two types of vitamin A?
There are two types of vitamin A found in foods: preformed vitamin A and provitamin A ( 1. Trusted Source. ). Preformed vitamin A is also known as retinol and commonly found in meat, fish, eggs and dairy products.
What is vitamin A?
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is important for many bodily functions, including proper vision, a strong immune system, reproduction and good skin health. There are two types of vitamin A found in foods: preformed vitamin A and provitamin A ( 1. Trusted Source.
Why is vitamin A important?
This is because vitamin A is necessary for the proper development of the human body. Several studies have shown that vitamin A supplements, alone or with other nutrients, can improve growth. Most of these studies were conducted in children in developing nations ( 20. Trusted Source.
What happens if you don't take vitamin A?
Too little vitamin A can lead to inflamed skin, night blindness, infertility, delayed growth and respiratory infections.
What are the signs of vitamin A deficiency?
Getting adequate amounts of vitamin A is crucial for eye health. Some of the first signs of vitamin A deficiency are dry eyes and night blindness. 4. Infertility and Trouble Conceiving. Vitamin A is necessary for reproduction in both men and women, as well as proper development in babies.
What is thiamine deficiency?
Thiamine is a B vitamin that is essential for good stamina, en hancing muscle tone, and sustaining a healthy nervous system. Thiamine deficiency correlates with Beriberi disease, a rare illness that causes gastrointestinal disorders, peripheral neuropathy, heart disease, and muscular pain.
What vitamins are needed for cardiovascular health?
Vitamin B6 is one of many essential B vitamins; vitamin B6 aids in cognitive development and maintaining the nervous system. Vitamins B6, B12, and B9 work together to maintain already healthy homocysteine levels for cardiovascular health.
What is the B12 in food?
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble B vitamin that occurs in animal-based foods like beef, chicken, fish, shellfish, eggs, cheese, and milk. Vitamin B12 is essential for energy, healthy DNA, red blood cell production, cognitive functioning, and a health nervous system. Vitamin B12 deficiency differs from other kinds of malnourishment in that it can occur even when nutritional guidelines for vitamin B12 consumption are being met.
What is the best vitamin for scurvy?
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin found in tomatoes, citrus fruits, broccoli, and potatoes. Vitamin C is helpful in growing cell tissue to seal wounds, promoting a defense against free radicals, and for maintaining healthy bones and teeth. Long ago, vitamin C deficiency caused scurvy, which caused swollen bleeding gums, fatigue, and lowered immune system.
What is vitamin D?
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble nutrient that is stored in your body and produced with exposure to sunlight. Vitamin D is essential for aiding calcium in bone production and boosting your immune system. Rickets is caused by vitamin D deficiency in children. Other illnesses linked with vitamin D deficiency are osteoporosis, obesity, hypertension, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and heart disease.
What is the purpose of Vitamin E?
Vitamin E is essential for promoting cardiovascular health, cellular functioning, and red blood cell production.
Can scurvy cause nerve damage?
Rickets and scurvy aren’t the only types of vitamin deficiencies; many vitamin deficiencies such as vitamin B12 deficiency (eg: pernicious anemia) and vitamin D deficiency cause debilitating symptoms like nerve damage, depression, heart disease, and memory loss. In some cases, you can develop a vitamin deficiency even while eating a healthy diet of lean meats, vegetables, and low-fat dairy foods.
Where is vitamin A deficiency most prevalent?
Vitamin A deficiency is a public health problem in more than half of all countries, especially in Africa and South-East Asia, hitting hardest young children and pregnant women in low-income countries.
How many children are vitamin A deficient?
A few salient facts 1 An estimated 250 million preschool children are vitamin A deficient and it is likely that in vitamin A deficient areas a substantial proportion of pregnant women is vitamin A deficient. 2 An estimated 250 000 to 500 000 vitamin A-deficient children become blind every year, half of them dying within 12 months of losing their sight.
How many deaths have been prevented by vitamin A?
Linked to sick-child visits and national poliomylitis immunization days, these supplements have averted an estimated 1.25 million deaths since 1998 in 40 countries.
How much does vitamin A reduce mortality?
For deficient children, the periodic supply of high-dose vitamin A in swift, simple, low-cost, high-benefit interventions has also produced remarkable results, reducing mortality by 23% overall and by up to 50% for acute measles sufferers.
What happens if you don't take vitamin A?
For children, lack of vitamin A causes severe visual impairment and blindness, and significantly increases the risk of severe illness, and even death, from such common childhood infections as diarrhoeal disease and measles.
Why is vitamin A important for survival?
Crucial for maternal and child survival, supplying adequate vitamin A in high-risk areas can significantly reduce mortality. Conversely, its absence causes a needlessly high risk of disease and death.
When is vitamin A deficiency most prevalent in pregnant women?
For pregnant women in high-risk areas, vitamin A deficiency occurs especially during the last trimester when demand by both the unborn child and the mother is highest. The mother’s deficiency is demonstrated by the high prevalence of night blindness during this period.
