PREVALENCE OF XEROPHTHALMIA AND EFFICACY OF VITAMIN-A PROPHYLAXIS IN PREVENTING XEROPHTHALMIA COEXISTING WITH MALNUTRITION IN RURAL INDIAN CHILDREN

Data of 4302 children, 0-6 years old were analysed to study the preval ence of vitamin A deficiency and the efficacy of vitamin A prophylaxis in preventing xerophthalmia co-existing with malnutrition. Manifestat ion of ocular signs of vitamin A deficiency were seen in 10 per cent c hildren. The prevalence of xerophthalmia was higher in the normal and mild to moderately malnourished children, and lowest in the severely m alnourished ones. The ability of vitamin A prophylaxis to curb xeropht halmia was greatest at the extreme ends of the nutritional grade spect rum. These findings have important implications for the existing natio nal 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 manage ment of protein energy malnutrition, vitamin A status of the children should be monitored; and (c) the coverage should be improved as most c hildren are in the mild and moderate degrees of malnutrition.